The import of berries by the EU countries has tripled over the last five years and continues to grow. Significant volumes of berries are grown in EU countries, but the demand for these products remains significantly higher than their own production.

The imports of berries, fruits and nuts from Ukraine to the EU countries have grown rapidly since 2013 and totaled 39.4 thous. tons in 2016. Supplies for the first half of 2017 amounted to 16.7 thous. tons, which is 1.8 times higher than the same period in 2016 and 3.5 times more than in 2013 (4.7 thous. tons).

During the first seven months of 2017 the EU countries exported from Ukraine: wild strawberries and prepared strawberries - 34.2% amounting to USD 3.150 mln, raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, wineberries - 65.8% amounting to USD 6 mln.

In recent years, Ukrainian enterprises have expanded the exports of strawberries to the EU from USD 442 thous. in 2013  to USD 1,3 mln in 2016. In the first half of 2017, the strawberries amounting to USD 1.45 mln were exported.

The export cost of raspberries, blackberries, elderberries and wineberries increased sharply from USD 1,2 mln in 2013 to USD 14,5 mln last year. The pace of growth remains rapid this year. In the first half of 2017, the exports of these types of berries amounted to USD 5,4 mln, that is 2.16 times more than the same period in 2016 (USD 2,5 mln). These figures exceed the five years data by 10 times (USD 533 thous.).

Ukraine has the potential to increase exports thanks to competitive prices and cheaper logistics compared to the countries of South America and Africa. In order to further support of the Ukraine's share growth in European berry trade, the domestic entrepreneurs have to develop the investments, logistics and technological infrastructure, which will allow to concentrate value-added chains in this feature of agriculture.