Poland opens season strong, Ukraine stumbles in the rain, Georgia struggles, Uzbekistan stays quiet
The summer blueberry season across Eastern Europe and Central Asia is already revealing deep contrasts. From Poland’s cautiously optimistic early harvest to Georgia’s rain-soaked setbacks, weather has taken center stage in shaping supply, export volume, and — perhaps most noticeably — prices. Meanwhile, Ukraine is walking a tightrope between booming production and logistical hurdles, and Uzbekistan, so far, is playing its cards close to the vest.
Polish Markets Signal High Demand But Slow Supply
In Poland, one of Europe’s top blueberry exporters, the season has only just begun. Local produce is starting to arrive in small volumes, overlapping with lingering imports, and that’s made for a rather wide price band.
In Warsaw, wholesale prices ranged between €7.0 and €10.0 per kilogram on July 1. Meanwhile, traders in Łódź were quoting €8.0–10.0/kg, while Poznań peaked even higher at €9.5–11.0/kg. These are opening prices, of course, and will likely settle lower as volume picks up.
In other words, there’s anticipation — and a bit of caution too.
Prices this early often reflect scarcity more than quality. Imported blueberries are still competing with the first trickle of local fruit, and until domestic volumes ramp up, expect to see big spreads.
Ukraine Catches Up But Faces Its Own Set of Hurdles
Normally, Ukraine kicks off its blueberry harvest about two weeks ahead of Poland. But this year, Mother Nature had other plans.
Cold and rainy conditions delayed picking, and the season only began around June 25–26, barely a week ahead of Polish markets. That delay — small though it seems — has ripple effects.
As of July 1, small wholesale lots in Ukraine were trading at €6–7/kg, according to major market data. Larger bulk orders were reportedly 10–15% cheaper, mostly due to scale and sorting quality.
One local exporter put it bluntly: “We had a great bloom, then came the rain, and the trucks got stuck — literally.”
Despite weather challenges, Ukrainian producers have already started moving berries across borders, mainly targeting Germany and the Netherlands. But exports remain shaky, depending heavily on last-minute logistics and buyer confidence.
Georgia Hit Hard by Harvest Chaos and Export Drop
Georgia got an early start — 3 to 4 weeks ahead of Ukraine — but the early momentum hasn’t helped much. Rainstorms have turned fields into mud baths and dashed hopes of a strong export season.
Wholesale prices in Georgia are lower than anywhere else in the region, clocking in at just €3.6 to €4.5 per kg for export-grade berries. The issue, however, isn’t pricing. It’s perishability.
Traders are pulling back. Long-distance shipping, especially to EU destinations, has nearly dried up. There’s too much risk of spoilage, and too few reliable cold chains to manage transport under wet conditions.
“We’re sitting on blueberries that look perfect at 6 am and mushy by lunch,” one frustrated Georgian farmer said. “How can we put that on a truck to Berlin?”
It’s not just the weather. Road conditions, packaging issues, and even geopolitical tensions have squeezed the country’s ability to capitalize on its head start.
Market Price Table: July 1, 2025 (All in €/kg)
| Country | Market Location | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | Warsaw | €7.0–10.0 | Early-season local + imported overlap |
| Poland | Łódź | €8.0–10.0 | Narrower range, slightly more stable |
| Poland | Poznań | €9.5–11.0 | Highest current price among major markets |
| Ukraine | National avg | €6.0–7.0 | Lower for bulk shipments by 10–15% |
| Georgia | National avg | €3.6–4.5 | Export drying up due to poor weather |
Supply Chain, Pricing, and What Happens Next
The blueberry market has grown more global — and more fragile.
A poor start in one country now quickly creates opportunity for another. But that window is small. And unpredictable climate shifts are pushing producers to re-evaluate their timing, packaging, and even their crop varieties.
Here’s what’s weighing on price volatility right now:
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Poland has the advantage of scale and infrastructure, but it’s not immune to supply chain shocks.
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Ukraine has labor and volume, but transportation hiccups threaten consistency.
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Georgia has early sun and cheap prices — until the rain floods the fields.
Uzbekistan, notably, hasn’t yet revealed its pricing or harvest timeline. Some traders believe the country is waiting to assess regional demand before releasing stock, especially given its rising role in dried and frozen berry exports.
Export Focus Shifting: From Europe to Regional Buyers?
While EU destinations like Germany and the Netherlands remain key targets for Ukrainian and Polish producers, the export dynamics in Georgia tell a cautionary tale.
One logistics consultant in Tbilisi explained that exporters are already shifting their attention:
“We’re looking more at Gulf countries and maybe even Russia again — shorter hauls, faster payments, less spoilage risk.”
That’s a big shift from just a couple of seasons ago when EU supermarkets were snapping up Georgian blueberries with enthusiasm.
For now, the blueberry game remains weather-dependent, market-sensitive, and — frankly — a bit chaotic.
