Blueberry prices in Ukraine are expected to drop significantly
Blueberries in Ukraine are currently much more expensive than they are at the height of the season. According to berry market expert Denis Mironov, the reason is simple: Ukrainian blueberries have not yet hit the market in large quantities, and imported products dominate stores and markets. Once the active harvest of domestic blueberries begins, prices are expected to drop significantly.
Blueberries are just entering the season in Ukraine. Due to the later ripening of early varieties, large shipments of berries have not yet hit the market. That’s why shoppers are currently seeing mostly imported blueberries. “Blueberries are just entering the season. Due to the slightly later ripening of early varieties, large-scale shipments have not yet begun, so imported products currently dominate the market. Once Ukrainian blueberries hit the market, prices will gradually drop,” explained Denis Mironov, an analyst with the “Berry Farming of Ukraine” association.
Where Do the Berries Come From?
According to the expert, Ukraine generally exports more blueberries than it imports. But during the off-season, blueberries from other countries appear on store shelves. Most often, they are imported via the Netherlands, which serves as a major re-export hub. The blueberries themselves may come from:
Peru;
Chile;
Spain;
Morocco;
and other countries.
What’s the difference in price?
Imported berries travel a longer distance and require storage and logistics, so they cost much more. “Such products usually cost about three times as much as Ukrainian seasonal blueberries, so they don’t compete with domestic berries during the peak harvest season but only fill the market during the off-season,” Mironov noted.
When to Expect Prices to Drop
Experts predict that prices will begin to fall once the mass harvest of Ukrainian blueberries begins. The more berries appear on the market, the more affordable they will become for buyers. Therefore, the current high price of blueberries is likely temporary and primarily due to the fact that the Ukrainian blueberry season is just beginning.
Young Ukrainian potatoes continue to get cheaper. In just over a week, their average price has halved—from 30 to 15 hryvnias per kilogram.
In early July, prices for seasonal fruits and berries changed in Ukraine. Strawberries and cherries saw the biggest price increases over the past week, while apples, bananas, oranges, and lemons are selling for nearly the same prices.
