Blueberry prices in Ukraine are falling: what does this mean for the market

During the last week, there has been a significant drop in wholesale prices for blueberries in Ukraine, which has made this berry more affordable for consumers compared to last year. According to EastFruit, wholesale blueberry prices have almost halved compared to the same period last year.

EF Trade Platform, where more than 26 thousand participants from 50 countries of the world are represented, recorded the highest demand for Ukrainian fresh blueberries. The offers on the market varied in the price range from 120 to 180 hryvnias per kilogram, depending on the quality and volume of products.

"At this time in 2023, the Ukrainian market was just beginning to absorb the first batches of blueberries from small greenhouses, and the wholesale trade of local berries was not yet active. This year, we are observing a significant decrease in blueberry prices compared to last year," explains Andriy Yarmak, economist investment department of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

He also notes that last season began with significant difficulties for Ukrainian blueberry producers. "Blueberry prices dropped sharply to 100-120 hryvnias per kilogram, which became a big challenge for farmers. However, at the end of the season, the situation changed, as due to a decrease in production in Peru, blueberry prices suddenly jumped, which contributed to the improvement of conditions for Ukrainian farmers," he adds. Fair.

Despite the current decline in prices, experts note that the stability of the blueberry market depends on many factors, including yield, weather conditions and external economic factors. At the end of the article, it was emphasized the importance of diversification of cultivation and development of effective marketing strategies to ensure sustainable development of the berry industry in Ukraine.