The Netherlands Becomes the Main Importer of Ukrainian Blueberries, Replacing Poland

Ukrainian blueberry producers have successfully shifted their export focus, redirecting the main volumes of supply from Poland to the markets of Western and Northern Europe. The Netherlands currently ranks first among importers of Ukrainian berries, allowing farmers to achieve significantly higher margins and reduce risks associated with logistical difficulties at the border with Poland.

This is reported by AgroReview

Strategic Shift in Sales Markets

In 2023, Poland remained the leading hub for the sale of Ukrainian blueberries, but by 2025, its share in the export structure decreased from 27% to 15%. This reduction is due not only to logistical challenges but also to the saturation of the Polish market with domestic products. At the same time, Ukrainian farmers are actively entering into direct contracts with buyers in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Scandinavian countries, where the demand for quality blueberries remains consistently high.

Production, Yield, and Prospects

Ukraine maintains a leading position in Eastern Europe in terms of blueberry planting areas, which reach 6,000 hectares, of which about 5,000 are already bearing fruit. Last season, Ukrainian farms harvested over 14,000 tons of this berry. Despite the significant production volume, the industry has considerable potential for further development, especially through improving cultivation efficiency.

Analyzing productivity, the average yield of blueberries in Ukraine is 2.87 t/ha. In comparison, in Poland, this figure is 7.13 t/ha, while the global average is 9.05 t/ha. This indicates a significant reserve for increasing the profitability of the industry through the implementation of modern technologies and intensive cultivation methods, without the need to expand planting areas.

“This strategic step allows producers to achieve higher margins and minimize risks associated with logistical difficulties at the border with Poland.”

Strengthening positions in markets with higher purchasing power and increasing yields remain key areas of development for Ukrainian blueberry producers. With optimized production, this crop could become one of the most profitable export goods in Ukraine’s fruit and vegetable sector.