Articles
Blueberry growing in Ukraine – development and trends
Article number
1440_56
Pages
407 – 412
Language
English
Abstract
Along the last two decades, blueberry has turned from a less-known niche crop into one of the main small fruit crops in Ukraine.
As of 2023, Ukraine was among the 5 largest European producers of blueberry (Vaccinium сorymbosum L.). Blueberry demonstrates the fastest growth among other fruit and small fruit crops in Ukraine – in the period from 2007 to 2023, the acreage increased more than 40 times – from 130 to more than 5710 ha, and, by the end of 2024 commercial plantations of blueberries is expected to exceed 6000 ha.
The main growing regions are the north-west and west of Ukraine.
More than half of its plantations are located in the area of Zhytomyr and Volyn regions.
In general, about 20 cultivars are grown, the most common are ‘Duke’, ‘Bluecrop’, ‘Bluegold’, ‘Nelson’, ‘Liberty’, ‘Elliot’, and some of their clones.
With a total production of blueberry of about 14,000 t in 2022, 23% was exported (fresh market only). The average farm-gate price for domestic fresh market was 2.50 EUR kg‑1 with export going for 4.50 EUR kg‑1. Current trends are extending production in south-western regions of Ukraine, especially Transcarpathia, in order to export earlier in the season; setting plantations with new cultivars from worldwide known breeding programs as well as starting national ones; investments in protected cultivation, including plastic tunnels, integrated hail and rain covering constructions; co-operation of mid-sized growers to access export markets.
As of 2023, Ukraine was among the 5 largest European producers of blueberry (Vaccinium сorymbosum L.). Blueberry demonstrates the fastest growth among other fruit and small fruit crops in Ukraine – in the period from 2007 to 2023, the acreage increased more than 40 times – from 130 to more than 5710 ha, and, by the end of 2024 commercial plantations of blueberries is expected to exceed 6000 ha.
The main growing regions are the north-west and west of Ukraine.
More than half of its plantations are located in the area of Zhytomyr and Volyn regions.
In general, about 20 cultivars are grown, the most common are ‘Duke’, ‘Bluecrop’, ‘Bluegold’, ‘Nelson’, ‘Liberty’, ‘Elliot’, and some of their clones.
With a total production of blueberry of about 14,000 t in 2022, 23% was exported (fresh market only). The average farm-gate price for domestic fresh market was 2.50 EUR kg‑1 with export going for 4.50 EUR kg‑1. Current trends are extending production in south-western regions of Ukraine, especially Transcarpathia, in order to export earlier in the season; setting plantations with new cultivars from worldwide known breeding programs as well as starting national ones; investments in protected cultivation, including plastic tunnels, integrated hail and rain covering constructions; co-operation of mid-sized growers to access export markets.
Publication
Authors
O. Yareshchenko, O. Pukshyn, I. Grynyk, Y. Tereshchenko
Keywords
blueberry, cultivars, fresh market, production, export, Vaccinium сorymbosum
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