Very low prices for blueberries, expected by Ukrainian berry growers this season, have been avoided. Prices remained close to the previous year’s level, and exports of Ukrainian blueberries have grown significantly. Taras Bashtannik, head of the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association (UPOA), spoke about this in a SEEDS commentary.
“It is impossible to say that record low prices for blueberries are unbelievable because now the lowest price on the market was, on average, 80 hryvnias ($2.16) farmgate. But last year it was also 80.
Therefore, compared to last year, prices in this regard are not lower; they are the same in hryvnia. And in dollars, it’s even higher because last year, the exchange rate was somewhere around 41, even 42, and now it’s 37 (UAH per dollar). As far as blueberries are concerned, there is no such expected drop in prices, at least not yet, but we will be watching. Although everything is fine with the yield,” says Taras Bashtannik.
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At the same time, compared with the previous and many previous years, the export of these berries increased, which, in particular, made it possible to withstand prices in the domestic market.
“Exports have grown significantly. We do not yet have specific figures, but it is evident that blueberries are exported more than last year or the year before. This is precisely what allowed prices on the domestic market to hold.
In a week and a half, the prices for blueberries will increase because the main mass harvest will be completed. Although we see that consumption is gradually starting to sag, as people have already tried blueberries and are switching to the August traditional positions: watermelon, peach, and so on,” notes Taras Bashtannik.
