Blueberry yields in Ukraine during the 2026 season were low across nearly the entire country, with some farms reporting virtually no harvest of mid-season varieties, according to the president of the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association (UPOA).
The main cause of the problems was spring frosts, which had the most severe impact on mid-season and late-season blueberry varieties.
“This year’s yield is really poor. And that’s the case almost throughout Ukraine,” said Bashtannik. According to him, in some areas, the yield of mid-season varieties was “absolutely zero.”
At the same time, the situation in the consumer market looks quite different: despite the yield problems, blueberries have become significantly cheaper at the height of the season. According to the UPOA chairman’s estimate, the farmgate price of the berries is about 100 UAH/kg, while the retail price is approximately 200 UAH/kg.
Bashtannik notes that blueberries are gradually ceasing to be a niche, expensive berry and are becoming a mass-market product for the Ukrainian market. The growth in domestic consumption is accompanied by an expansion of supply, although the most efficient producers continue to focus, in particular, on exports.
“Blueberries have become a ‘people’s’ berry because they are now abundant and consumers like them,” noted the president of the UPOA.
A labor shortage remains an additional constraint for the industry, especially during harvest time. According to Bashtannik, the labor shortage affects virtually all producers and has the potential to hinder the further expansion of the berry business.
Growing blueberries in containers and tunnels—which helps partially mitigate the impact of adverse weather—has not yet become widespread in Ukraine. The head of the UPOA considers this technology to be more of a niche practice due to the high cost of substrates, infrastructure, and additional production requirements.
Harvest problems are arising against the backdrop of a challenging situation with Ukrainian blueberry exports. According to data published on August 12 by the “Berry Farming of Ukraine” association, blueberry exports fell by nearly two-thirds in the 2025/26 marketing year—to 7,600 metric tons, compared to 24,400 metric tons in the previous season. Export revenue fell by 40%—to 44.5 million euros—despite an increase in the average export price to 5.85 euros per kg.
Poland, Austria, and the Czech Republic remained the main foreign markets for Ukrainian blueberries.
Thus, the 2026 season has been mixed for Ukrainian blueberry producers: domestic demand is growing, and the berries are becoming more affordable for consumers; however, spring frosts sharply reduced yields for some varieties, the industry is facing a labor shortage, and export volumes remain significantly lower than in the previous season.
The Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association brings together producers, processors, and exporters of fruit and vegetable products and is engaged in developing the domestic market and promoting Ukrainian products in foreign markets.
