According to the Association «Yahidnytstvo Ukrayiny», the cost of growing raspberries per hectare in Ukraine has doubled over the past six years, while the real export price of frozen berries has still not returned to its 2021 level. The biggest drivers of higher costs were rising labour and energy prices.
Export price in euros and its real value
In 2026 the nominal export price of frozen raspberries in euros was 11% higher than in 2021, but after accounting for inflation its real value was 9% lower. Over the period 2020−2026 the euro exchange rate against the hryvnia rose by 67%, which substantially changed the hryvnia equivalent of export revenue.
Association analysts analysed changes in export and domestic prices, the exchange rate and the cost of the main production inputs and calculated a modelled cost of growing the berries. Even with a higher nominal price, export proceeds in hryvnia do not fully cover the rise in costs.
Factors driving the rise in production costs
In 2021−2026 the average wage rose by 109% and diesel fuel became almost three times more expensive; the rise in labour costs was named the main factor increasing production costs. After accounting for inflation, the real cost of growing the berries increased by 12% over the study period.
Because of the combination of rising costs and only a marginal increase in the real export price, producers face a less favourable cost-to-income ratio than in 2021.
