Ukraine is among the fastest-growing producers and exporters of berries in the world. Around 55,000 tonnes of fresh, frozen and dried berries (in fresh equivalents) are sold annually.
Ukrainian companies are investing in the processing of fruits and berries, including sublimation (freeze-drying) and the production of fruit chips, juices, jams and other products. These products have a long shelf life and maximum vitamin potential and are easily transported.
Each year 1 million tonnes of apples are harvested in Ukraine, with a record of almost 1.5 million tonnes in 2018. Ukraine is also one of the five largest European suppliers of apple concentrate.
2020 demonstrated a significant increase in the volume of frozen berries exported to other European countries: Poland (+20% to 17,800), Germany (+ 84% to 4,200 tonnes), the Netherlands (+ 46% to 1,700 tonnes) and Belgium (+ 63% to 1,100 tonnes) and China remained the principal market for Ukrainian products outside the European Union and again increased its purchases of frozen berries from Ukraine, albeit at a slower rate. In 2018, China purchased 490 tonnes of frozen berries from Ukraine. The figure for 2019 was 1,300 tonnes and 1,400 tonnes for 2020.
Stakeholders
Ukrsadvinprom (Association of Gardeners, Grape Growers and Winemakers of Ukraine) represents around 200 producers of fruit, berries, nuts and grapes, as well as fruit and berry processing companies, wine producers and various scientific institutions involved in developing new production techniques.
The Ukrainian Berry Association represents professional stakeholders in the fruit and berry market, including growers, processing companies, suppliers (planting material, plant protection products, equipment and technical resources), cooperatives, public organisations, educational institutions and other sector representatives.