2023 Exports Set Record Surpassing Apples

In 2023, Ukrainian fresh blueberry exports reached a record-breaking $16.5 million, surpassing apples in export revenue for the first time. Meanwhile, apple exports amounted to $14.1 million during the same period. Currently, blueberries rank third in annual revenue among fruit categories, trailing only walnuts and frozen berries and fruits.

Additionally, blueberries and frozen raspberries represent the fastest-growing segments in Ukraine's fruit and vegetable export market. The export revenue of these products grows impressively by 22-28% annually.

While Ukrainian apples can enter the international market almost year-round, blueberries cannot be stored long-term and can only be exported from July to October. This concentrated export window accounts for all the revenue, highlighting the attractiveness of blueberries to investors keen on establishing new plantations through grant funding.

Andriy Yarmak, an economist at the Investment Department of the Food and Agriculture Organization, commented, "Blueberries have enormous potential to increase global consumption. They remain relatively unknown in many countries, but they often become a staple for those who try them. Compared to other berries, their longer shelf life and the availability of varieties suitable for different climates make them particularly attractive."

Amidst the growth in Ukrainian blueberry exports, the global blueberry trade has seen unprecedented sluggishness. However, market observers anticipate that blueberry prices will continue to remain relatively high in the next season.

Historically, most Ukrainian blueberries have been exported to Poland, which is set to become a net importer of blueberries. 2023 marks the beginning of diversification in Ukrainian exports, with a significant decrease in export volume to Poland and a corresponding surge in export volumes to the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain (markets traditionally served by Poland).