Ukraine is consolidating its position as a key player in the European berry and fruit market, with new blueberry, apple, and walnut orchards that combine green projects with expansions of existing farms. In a context of rising prices and a strong export focus, blueberries are emerging as a strategic crop due to their profitability and growth potential.

According to Taras Bashtannik, president of the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association (UPOA), approximately 40% of the perennial plantations are entirely new projects, while 60% are farms expanding their acreage, modifying existing plots, or incorporating new land. Among the crops established after 2022, walnut trees (1.300 hectares), apple trees (1.020 hectares), and blueberries (740 hectares) stand out, distributed across various regions of the country.

Blueberries and berries: prices and profitability

The favorable prices for 2025 mark a clear difference compared to last season, with export revenues projected to be 30 to 40% higher. In the case of blueberries, exports averaged between $3,5 and $4 per kilo, while the domestic market saw prices ranging from $2,5 to $3,5 per kilo.

In processed berries, frozen raspberries sold for 120–140 UAH per kilo of raw material, while export-quality fruit reached up to $4,2 per kilo. Apples also show a favorable scenario: at the start of the season, export prices exceeded €1,5 per kilo, enough to cover costs and maintain positive margins for producers.

Minimum investment and export scale

Investment needs vary depending on the crop, with blueberries being one of the most capital-intensive fruits: they require around $30.000 per hectare, while for strawberries and raspberries the investment starts at $12.000 per hectare. For an export-oriented project to be competitive, it is considered that it must cover at least 50 hectares and incorporate cold storage infrastructure, post-harvest handling, mechanization, and sufficient seasonal labor.

In this context, long-term planning—between 5 and 7 years—becomes essential. Profitability can vary from year to year, and the domestic market is unstable, so an export focus emerges as a key condition for ensuring sustainable returns and justifying initial investments, especially in blueberries and other berries.

Ukraine, a key supplier of berries to Europe

Ukraine has established itself as a major supplier to the European berry market: approximately 98% of its production is exported, primarily to Germany and the Netherlands. Frozen raspberry exports are estimated to reach between 70.000 and 80.000 tons this year, maintaining the country's position as one of the leading suppliers of this product.

In contrast, apples and fresh vegetables are finding less market share in Europe, so exporters are looking towards markets in Eastern Europe, North Africa, Southeast Asia, and, gradually, the United States and Canada. Processed products—such as jams, dried fruit, and freeze-dried fruit—currently have limited demand, and frozen berries remain the main export product, in a context where competition from more established European companies is hindering the growth of Ukrainian processed produce.

Organic production and the role of UPOA

Unlike in the past, organic production has lost momentum. Interest and supply from producers are declining, confirming that, at least in the short term, organic products are not perceived as a strategic growth area for the fruit and berry sector in Ukraine.

In this context, UPOA plays a coordinating role. The association actively brings together 37 companies—mostly berry and apple producers—and coordinates access to subsidies, information sharing, and participation in public policy processes. The organization warns that cooperation among independent investors is often ineffective unless structured under a single company with clearly defined ownership structures; the success of projects depends on rigorous planning, a defined export strategy, adequate logistics (including cold storage and post-harvest handling), and the availability of seasonal labor to sustain the long-term growth of the blueberry and other berry businesses.