Ukraine Ranks Among the World’s Top 10 Countries by Blueberry Area

This was reported by the Ukrainian Berries Association based on an analysis of the IBO Global Blueberry Report 2026.

The total area of blueberry plantings in Ukraine is around 6,000 hectares, of which 5,000 hectares are already bearing fruit. In 2025, the gross blueberry harvest amounted to 14.33 thousand tonnes.

The average yield of Ukrainian blueberries was only 2.87 t/ha. For comparison, in Poland this figure reaches 7.13 t/ha, while the global average is 9.05 t/ha.

The low productivity is explained by the significant share of young plantings, small farms with less advanced cultivation practices, and the predominance of northern varieties, which take longer to reach full productivity.

Frosts in 2024–2025 also affected the harvest, but they are not the main reason for the low yield.

Ukrainian exports of fresh blueberries decreased by 25% in 2025 compared with the peak recorded in 2024. At the same time, the geography of supplies is changing: Poland’s share of purchases of Ukrainian berries fell from 27% in 2023 to 15% in 2025, while the Netherlands became the main buyer.

The Netherlands, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom are named among the promising destinations for Ukrainian exporters. At the same time, the focus is shifting away from increasing volumes towards producing higher-quality berries and gaining direct access to buyers with greater purchasing power.

According to the Association, to improve the competitiveness of the sector, Ukraine needs to focus on yields, modern agricultural technologies, varietal structure, irrigation, protection of plantings from frost, mechanisation and post-harvest handling. Compliance with EU packaging and certification requirements, as well as control of pesticide residues, also remain important.