Rising Ukrainian berry exports challenge Polish and Serbian dominance

This represents a 36% increase compared to the same period last year and a 45% increase compared to 2022.

While Serbia and Poland are currently the leading exporters of frozen raspberries, Ukraine is actively catching up. However, Poland relies heavily on re-exports, mainly of Ukrainian origin, to maintain its position in the market. In addition, there are reports of a decline in the raspberry harvest in 2024. 

In addition to Poland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Austria, Belgium, and Italy are important markets for Ukrainian raspberries. The United States, Canada, and even Serbia, the world's leading raspberry exporter, have also received their first shipments of Ukrainian frozen raspberries, with Serbia likely to re-export.

"Despite the fact that Poland remains the main market for frozen raspberries from Ukraine, its share in total exports continues to decline," said Andriy Yarmak, an economist at the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Investment Department. 

"Ukraine is gradually starting to sell frozen raspberries directly to traditional markets, such as Germany and France. This season, for example, Germany's share of Ukraine's frozen raspberry exports has exceeded 20%."