Strengthening the partnership and impact of BIOFACH on Podillyaagrobusiness’ export history

Podillyaagrobusiness was established in 2015 in Vinnytsia region and at the beginning of its operations was engaged in the production and export of flour and wheat bran.

In 2016, the company shifted its focus to the promising organic sector and is now engaged in the production, processing and freezing of berries: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, black currants, and cherries. The total area of fruit and berry plantations of the agricultural enterprise is 72 hectares.

To meet the high requirements of its customers, Podillyaagrobusiness engages certified contractors with a high reputation and modern equipment to produce frozen products of class A and B in various types of packaging, including retail and private label.

Careful cultivation of berries is the key to a large harvest and high quality of organic berries, and fertilisers are some of the most effective means of influencing plant productivity and quality. That is why the company’s technologies are aimed at finding the most effective fertilisers and plant protection products (PPPs) that really work.

The company is certified according to two organic standards, including the EU Organic Regulation which allows it to export to the EU countries, including Germany, France, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, as well as Switzerland.

Benefits of exhibiting at BIOFACH for organic producers

The largest international trade fair of organic products, BIOFACH, which takes place annually in Nuremberg, is an opportunity for Ukrainian exporters not only to present organic products within national pavilions, but also to discuss the latest developments and trends in the organic sector with international colleagues and partners.

It was the fourth time that Podillyaagrobusiness had represented the organic berry production sector at BIOFACH. In 2023, it was part of the National Pavilion of Ukraine, and this year it exhibited at the collective stand (Hall 4A, Stand: 421).

“It took us no more than a week to prepare for participation in BIOFACH 2023, as the organisers did the main preparations. The national pavilion had a meeting area for Ukrainian companies and a place to present products. In addition to the professional organisational support, we also prepared promotional materials and samples of organic products in advance. We know that our company’s visibility can be achieved through participation in such trade fairs and organising personal business meetings,” says Serhii Zinko, Director of Podillyaagrobusiness LLC.

The company’s results after participating in BIOFACH 2023 as part of the National Pavilion of Ukraine

In recent years, the company has seen a slight decline in demand, which is likely due to the artificial crisis and large volumes of products supplied from other countries. Nevertheless, Podillyaagrobusiness hopes that the market will stabilise. According to the company’s director, their experience of working with numerous EU customers allows meeting the specific needs of importers quickly.

BIOFACH 2023 resulted in $110,000 worth contracts for Podillyaagrobusiness

Read more about the National Pavilion of Ukraine at BIOFACH 2023.

“We were surprised that many potential customers at BIOFACH 2023 approached us with requests for conventional agricultural products. This year, in our opinion, the exhibition was livelier: more people, meetings, specific proposals. Let’s see what it will result in during the season,” said Serhii Zinko.

The National Pavilion of Ukraine at BIOFACH 2023 was organized by the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office and national project Diia.Business in partnership with the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Organic Ukraine NGO, Ukrainian Berries Association, and Organic Initiative Public Association.

Supported by:

• The European Union and German Government within the “EU4Business: SME Competitiveness and Internationalisation” programme implemented by the German federal company Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH;
• EBRD and funded by Switzerland through the EBRD's Small Business Impact Fund (donors to the SBIF are Italy, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Sweden, Switzerland, the USA, Taiwan Business - EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund and Norway);
• Switzerland within the framework of the Swiss-Ukrainian Programs “Higher Value Added Trade from the Organic and Dairy Sector in Ukraine” (QFTP) and “Organic Trade for Development in Eastern Europe” (OT4D);
• The project “German-Ukrainian Cooperation in Organic Agriculture” (COA) funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.