Ukraine has rapidly grown into a global leader in frozen raspberry exports. Despite war, labor shortages, and power outages, the country doubled its export volumes over the last three years, reaching 65,000 tons in 2024, a 34% year-on-year increase. This earned Ukraine a place among the top five global exporters and the top spot for net exports, surpassing even Serbia and Poland.
Ukraine is one of the few European countries expanding raspberry cultivation. Favorable climate, short return on investment (harvest possible within a year), and a growing number of freezing facilities have fueled this growth. Processors often offer free seedlings to small farmers in exchange for guaranteed harvest purchases, ensuring stable supply chains. Last season, export prices reached up to €3.20/kg for top-quality berries.
Still, most raspberries (around 95%) are exported as raw, unprocessed fruit. This limits profits. For comparison, Ukraine earns $309 per ton of exports, while Poland, which processes the fruit into jams or juices, earns $1,560 per ton. To add value, experts urge investment in processing, sorting, and packaging infrastructure.
Ukraine is scaling up, and the country now has roughly ten times more freezing capacity than a decade ago. Moreover, its quality is improving, certifications like Global GAP and BRC are common, and studies confirm Ukrainian raspberries match EU safety standards.
Diversification is also underway. In 2022, 63% of exports went to Poland. By 2024, that share dropped to 35%, while exports to Germany, France, and Austria surged. High-margin markets like the U.S., Canada, and even Argentina and Saudi Arabia are now importing Ukrainian raspberries.
Still, profitability depends heavily on labor costs and yield. Manual harvesting consumes up to 60% of production costs. Mechanization, like with the new high-yielding "Delniwa" variety, may improve margins.
Analysts expect another record-breaking season in 2025. However, they caution that while growers might enjoy strong profits, exporters may face lower margins due to rising supply and price normalization.
To maintain momentum, Ukraine must shift from bulk raw exports to high-quality processed goods. This will help boost prices, stabilize income, and solidify Ukraine's position as a leading raspberry supplier on global markets.
Source: latifundist.com