Recently, Ukrainian berry producers united under the Ukrainian Blueberry Growers Association—a significant step toward expanding the export of Ukrainian blueberries to the EU and global markets.
In an interview with EastFruit, Yevheniy Rykun, founder and owner of ORNIBERRY LLC (trademark ORNIBERRY), a member of the Ukrainian Blueberry Growers Association, shared insights about his company’s development, the ambitions of Ukrainian berry producers, and the export potential of blueberries in international markets.
– Mr. Rykun, could you tell us about ORNIBERRY? How did you start, and what makes your company unique and effective in the berry market?
The idea of starting a berry business came to me in 2017 when I visited a small blueberry plantation in the Vinnytsia region. With several generations of my family dedicated to agriculture, I have always aspired to establish my own farming-related business. In 2018, after conducting thorough research and analysis, we established the first 12-hectare plantation.
Our key strength lies in constant growth and innovation. Every year, we set new goals and exceed them.
Today, our plantation spans 100 hectares of blueberries. We have expanded our cultivated area several times over and built modern refrigeration facilities tailored to our production volumes. Initially, we supplied only small batches to wholesale markets, but we have since scaled significantly.
Within just one year of exporting, we ranked among Ukraine’s top five largest exporters of fresh blueberries. Additionally, we supply products to Ukrainian supermarket chains under our brand, ORNIBERRY, which reflects our impressive growth.
This success is the result of the hard work of our entire team, with every member contributing to this complex process.
Of course, we have faced and continue to face challenges—both external and internal—including weather conditions and economic factors.
The year 2022 was particularly difficult, as the start of the full-scale war cast uncertainty over our future growth and development. However, we persevered because one of my personal and company goals is to develop the Ukrainian blueberry market both domestically and internationally.
The key to success, in my view, is simple: love and believe in what you do, and build a dedicated team that is committed to growth and achieving excellent results.
– What are the main blueberry varieties you cultivate, and why did you choose them? How important is it to plant export-oriented varieties from the start?
Yield potential is a critical factor in ensuring the success of a blueberry project. Choosing the right varieties is essential for achieving high and stable yields.
We focus on varieties that align with market trends and consumer preferences. Our key varieties include Duke, Spartan, Bluecrop, Bluegold, Toro, and Elliot—all of which have performed exceptionally well on our plantation.
The choice of blueberry varieties depends on a company’s strategy, planned production volumes, and financial resources.
– What are your primary markets? How does your company ensure quality and freshness, and what are your production volumes?
Quality and freshness control is a complex, multi-stage process. Key indicators of our product quality include:
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- Holding and regularly renewing key quality certifications
- High yield per hectare
- Positive customer feedback on our blueberries
Since establishing our plantation, we have harvested around 800 tons of blueberries, with a projected 400-ton yield for the 2025 season. Our plan is to supply both Ukrainian buyers and international markets.
– What benefits do you see in joining the Ukrainian Blueberry Growers Association, and how does this contribute to the export development of Ukrainian blueberries?
The Ukrainian Blueberry Growers Association is a community of experts and like-minded professionals working to advance Ukraine’s blueberry sector. Our mission is to enhance the quality and export potential of Ukrainian blueberries by combining efforts across all stages—from cultivation to international sales.
In my opinion, networking, collaboration, and experience-sharing with fellow growers play a significant role in boosting a company’s export potential.
The key benefits of being part of this association include:
- B2B meetings
- Participation in international trade exhibitions, ensuring strong representation of Ukraine on the global stage
- Common goals among member companies.
– What are your company’s export prospects, and which countries are your primary targets?
Export is a strategic priority for ORNIBERRY, as our production volumes increase annually.
Our main export goals include:
- Establishing stable partnerships with international buyers
- Securing long-term contracts
Despite logistical challenges and border controls with the EU, our experience has proven that high-quality product deliveries are possible, even to Western Europe—over 4,000 km away.
Looking ahead, ORNIBERRY aims to expand its customer base beyond Europe, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships in new international markets.
Contact Information for Cooperation:
+380-98 599 99 78
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