Blueberry Prices in 2024: How Much the Fruit Costs This Year and Factors Influencing Market Fluctuations
In Ukraine, the blueberry harvesting season officially began at the end of June – on the 25th-26th, marking a slightly later start compared to last year, which commenced approximately a week earlier. This timing is notable because the later start has contributed to higher wholesale prices at the beginning of the season compared to the previous year. According to analysts from the EastFruit project, by late June 2025, prices on major Ukrainian wholesale markets started to decline gradually as the supply of berries increased rapidly. For instance, in Lviv, at the Shuvar market, blueberry prices ranged between 380 and 450 hryvnias per kilogram, roughly equivalent to 7.79-9.22 euros. In Kyiv, at the Stolichny market, prices on June 28 ranged from 450 to 500 hryvnias per kilogram (9.22-10.25 euros), but by June 30, prices had dropped to between 400 and 480 hryvnias (8.20-9.84 euros). Another notable point was the starting price at the Pochatok market near Odesa, which on June 26 reached 480 hryvnias per kilogram (9.84 euros), one of the highest levels seen during the season. Experts note that the upcoming increase in blueberry supply will likely lead to price reductions in the first week of July. However, consumer demand remains relatively high, supporting prices at a relatively stable and elevated level. In 2024, the first open-field blueberry shipments appeared around June 20, about a week earlier than in the previous season. During that period, supply was limited, but demand was high, and berries were sold at prices ranging from 200 to 350 hryvnias per kilogram, which was approximately 4.65–8.13 euros at current exchange rates. Analysts state that the initial prices for small wholesale batches of blueberries in 2024 were 18% higher than in 2023 but still two times lower in hryvnia compared to 2025 prices. The rise in prices this year was driven by a reduced harvest caused by unfavorable weather conditions during ripening, while in 2025, weather patterns were even less favorable. This has resulted in elevated prices at the start of the third consecutive season, both in hryvnias and euros. Market experts warn that prices could decline more rapidly in the coming months, as consumer demand may slow down due to the high prices, which could negatively impact overall consumption. This situation raises concerns about long-term price stability, as decreasing demand might lead to a sharp drop in blueberry prices in the near future.