Blueberry season in Ukraine: what you need to know about prices and demand

The outdoor blueberry season has begun in Ukraine, and the first batches of local products have already appeared on the market. This year, the season started a week earlier than last year, and blueberry prices are slightly higher compared to the start of last season.

According to the analysts of the EastFruit project, there is currently a limited supply of locally produced blueberries on the market, which is accompanied by a high demand for this berry. The first batches of blueberries are sold at a price of UAH 200-350/kg ($4.92-8.61/kg). It is expected that a larger number of products of Ukrainian farms will begin to go on sale at the beginning of July.

Currently, the price of blueberries in Ukraine is already on average 18% higher than at the beginning of the 2023 season. This is caused by a reduction in the gross collection of blueberries due to unfavorable weather conditions during the ripening of the berry, the producers explain.

In 2023, Ukraine set a historical record for blueberry exports, for the first time supplying foreign markets with slightly more than 4,000 tons of this blue berry in fresh form. This indicates a significant development of the industry, because many young blueberry plantations have appeared in the country.

The increase in the average yield and production of blueberries in Ukraine occurs even without the expansion of cultivated areas. This is a positive indicator for the industry, which emphasizes the potential of Ukrainian farmers in growing this berry.

Despite the weather challenges, blueberries remain popular with consumers and demand continues to grow. This creates favorable conditions for the development of local production and the strengthening of Ukraine's position on the world market.