Poland began to re-export Ukrainian berries more often

In two years, Ukraine has doubled the export of fruit to Poland. No other supplier country has such growth rates, writes “Agro-Center”.

During the period of June-May 2017-2018, Ukraine exported fruits and berries worth $ 56 million. Ukraine is among top ten suppliers of fruits and berries to Poland. The top ten list includes the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Italy, Ecuador, Turkey, Belgium, Portugal, and Greece. Ukraine got ahead of such leading world exporters of fruits and vegetables as France and Chile.

About 69% of exported fruits and berries are raspberries, as well as wild blueberries, and strawberries. This period was also marked by a growth of exports of plums and other fruits with a pit inside.

Ukrainian berries are often frozen and re-exported to other countries of the world as Polish produce.

In addition to berries, apple export is impressive, as well. This year, about 58 tons of apples were exported. Ukrainian apples can compete with Polish not only in terms of price but also in terms of quality.

As predicted by Fedir Rybalko, the head of the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association, in the 2018/19 season, the supply of fruit from Ukraine to Polish market will continue to grow. In particular, exports of frozen berries, fresh berries, watermelons, melons, and apples will increase.

“Poland is already worried but we need to move forward. Our fruits and berries can and should be sold at higher prices than Polish ones because they might be of higher quality. We have everything to make this happen,”

said Andrew Yarmak, an economist at the investment department of the agricultural and food organization UN FAO.