Key takeaways from the Global Berry Congress by participants from Georgia and Moldova

After the Global Berry Congress, which took place in Rotterdam, Netherlands on 28 November 2023, EastFruit asked participants from Georgia and Moldova about key takeaways from the event. Here is what they had to say.

Ekaterine Vepkhvadze, Agritouch, Georgia.

– What was the most important thing you learned at the event?

–  One key lesson from the event was the vital role of networking and sharing knowledge among countries in improving agriculture. Collaborating and learning from each other is crucial for the sector’s growth.

– Which berry do you think has the best future on the global market and why?

– Blueberries seem poised for success in the global market due to their long shelf life, health benefits, ease of transport, and increasing demand. Marketing strategies for blueberries are also on the rise, contributing to their potential.

– Do you think prices of blueberries will remain high during the current and the following season and if so, why?

– The demand for blueberries is high, and it’s likely their prices will stay elevated for the next 5-10 years due to the ongoing supply-demand gap.

– After a decline in frozen berries in 2022/23, do you believe that the market will recover in the current and the following season?

– Despite a recent decline, I anticipate a recovery and potential growth in the frozen berries market in the coming seasons.

– What do you think your country needs to do to improve the berry business efficiency? List the most important improvements.

– Enhancing our country’s berry business efficiency involves learning from international farmers, adhering to better manufacturing standards, and crafting effective marketing strategies to promote Georgian berries and the country’s agricultural products abroad. Absolutely, including improvements in logistical means, routes, and post-harvest management would be crucial for expanding Georgian blueberries into the EU market. These enhancements would streamline the transportation process, ensuring that our products reach international markets in top condition, thereby further elevating the efficiency and competitiveness of our berry business on a global scale.

Iuliia Tymoshenko, GVURA Ltd, Moldova.

– What was the most important thing you learned at the event?

– TOP 3 berries in the world kept their earlier positions: strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry. The market of berries is even more alive even during these hard times. Despite the global economic crisis some of the countries show extremely positive results in the berry market development and these countries include Ukraine, Morocco, and Egypt.

Due to the climate change and various new challenges the berry sector is actively working on development of new varieties, finding new ways to optimize growing technologies, develop new supply chains and recyclable eco-friendly packaging.

– Which berry do you think has the best future on the global market and why?

– All TOP 3 berries have their market share and potential thanks to the cultural preferences of consumers in various regions. Among them strawberry has the largest market share and should hold it in the future. It is first berry to be harvested after the winter in countries where there are seasons and the demand for strawberries in Moldova and neighboring countries is traditionally the highest in May/June, during the peak of the harvest. Strawberries are relatively suitable for transportation, production season could be extended thanks to rapid development of greenhouses production and growing in the countries where long fruiting periods are possible such as Egypt, e.g. Strawberries also have significant potential in quick freezing segment and these, among many other reasons, puts strawberry on the top of all berries in terms of market volume.

On the other side fresh raspberries with its high logistical risks could be sold at much higher prices. Blueberries have their consumers who prefer this berry over others and will stay loyal to it.  

I think that new improved varieties, new packaging, more efficient logistics and improved growing and harvesting technologies together with possible price reduction can help increase both: supply and demand and I see good prospects for this sector in the future.

– After a decline in frozen berries in 2022/23, do you believe that the market will recover in the current and the following season?

– Market of frozen berries will recover and reorient, but it needs some time.  Both: growers and freezers need to accept the market situation, follow trends, understand the reasons for the change and accept it. Market leaders need to understand that there are new countries, which became very important market players and need to accept it. Thus, they would have to take into consideration these competitors and more carefully follow consumers trends and preferences.

Year 2023 was less stressful for market of frozen fruits and berries then 2022 and we will work further on market recovery hoping for better conditions in 2024.

– What do you think your country needs to do to improve the berry business efficiency? List the most important improvements.

– Moldova has a huge potential in fruit sector and there is certainly potential for berries. Realistic things which can help develop berry sector of Moldova include improvements to road infrastructure, which is very important to preserve the quality of fresh and frozen berries.  Improved airfreight logistics would also provide new incentives to berry production. Unfortunately, presently we can send fresh berries to top destinations by air only via connecting flights, which is not acceptable from the point of view of quality and is very costly. 

There is still a problem with lack of pickers as well as shortage of specialists. Programs to help with this issue would also be very welcome.

However, I can see a lot of interest to berries among growers in Moldova. Therefore, I hope that soon we will witness more significant and growing exports of fresh and frozen berries from Moldova.