Ukraine to increase fresh fruit and vegetable exports to EU
Traders see the highest export potential in the sector of greenhouse vegetables (cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers in particular) as well as in the sector of early cabbage, aubergines and zucchini.
As regards long-term prospects, some companies are to start exporting garlic, sweet potatoes and asparagus, which are of high interest to companies with the plans to invest in agricultural projects in the coming years.
Among fruit and berry categories, the highest demand in the EU will be shown for Ukrainian cultivated and wild blueberries and currants. Melon and watermelon exports are also expected to grow.
Ukraine has significantly increased fresh fruit and vegetable exports to the EU in 2016 compared with a year before. Early cabbage exports more than quadrupled, shipments of bell peppers more than tripled, cucumber exports doubled, and tomato shipments were 50% higher. The most significant increase in the Ukrainian exports of fruits and berries to the EU was observed in the blueberry segment, which were 4 times as high as in 2015. Meanwhile, watermelon exports fell by a third, while shipments of Ukrainian melons to the EU took just a fifth of last year’s volumes.
source: fruit-inform.com
