Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom: fastest growing markets for frozen raspberries from Ukraine
Ukraine has already started the process of diversifying exports of frozen raspberries outside of Poland, as this country is considered one of the least reliable trading partners in the region. This allows Ukrainian exporters of frozen berries not only to significantly reduce trade risks, but also to increase income from the sale of the product.
In particular, in the first three quarters of 2023, Ukraine was able to reduce Poland's share of frozen raspberry exports by up to 14 percentage points, from 62% to 48%. At the same time, against the background of an increase in the total volume of raspberry exports from Ukraine by 29% or 8,1 thousand tons, the volume of raspberry exports to Poland has decreased.
The largest increase in exports of Ukrainian frozen raspberries was recorded in Germany, which, by the way, is the main traditional market for Polish raspberries. Consequently, Ukraine is distancing Poland from its main import channel. Direct exports of frozen raspberries from Ukraine to Germany in the first 9 months of 2023 increased by 2,2 times or 3 thousand tons and reached 5,5 thousand tons. These are record volumes of exports to this country from Ukraine during this period of the year. Similar growth rates were recorded in exports of frozen raspberries from Ukraine to Belgium, another major importer of frozen products.
In relative terms, the largest increase in exports was recorded in the United Kingdom, which multiplied purchases of Ukrainian frozen raspberries by 14 in the first three quarters of 2023. Another very important trend is the continued growth of exports of frozen raspberries from Ukraine to the American market, where prices are significantly higher than in Europe.
«It is very important for Ukraine to diversify exports of frozen raspberries to increase the average export price. This additional income is extremely important to support those who grow raspberries. Furthermore, I hope that the demand for frozen raspberries in the world will recover already in the next season, and now is the best time to expand the raspberry areas, while in many countries it is being reduced. However, to successfully diversify exports, investments are needed in quality improvement, specifically in optical sorting, packaging and logistics,” says Andriy Yarmak, economist at the United Nations Investment Center for Food and Agriculture (FAO).
Recall that Ukraine is now the world champion in terms of growth rate of berry exports. Therefore, the diversification of raspberry exports is an important step towards global leadership in raspberry exports.
In 2023, Poland reduced export volumes of frozen raspberries and Ukraine, in the first nine months, increased them by 29%. In 2024, according to estimates, raspberry production volumes in Poland and Serbia will decrease, allowing Ukraine to get closer to these leaders in global raspberry exports and, over time, maybe even overtake them..
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