The analytical team at EastFruit continues to closely monitor the markets of frozen berries and the raw materials required for production. After our comprehensive analysis of the raspberry market, available here, we now turn our attention to the current landscape and price trends of sweet and sour cherries and blackcurrants for freezing.
In the EU wholesale market, frozen sweet and sour cherries are priced between 1.90 and 2.10 euros, depending on their quality. There is strong demand for these fruits, with buyers eager to secure or negotiate these products at prevailing rates - a harbinger of potential price increases on the horizon.
Just a week ago, Moldovan processors, along with their counterparts in some Ukrainian regions, began sourcing these stone fruits. Moldovan entities are ready to pay about 0.60-0.75 euros per kilogram.
However, the higher supply in the fresh market means that these fruits are predominantly found in the fresh produce aisles, leaving the bulk purchase aspirations of the freezing industry currently unmet. The export prices of fresh sour cherries in Moldova hover around 0.90-1.10 euros FCA, directly from orchards or storage facilities.
The season started about fifteen days ago, characterized by high prices reflecting the exceptional quality of the fruits. Export-oriented farmers meticulously harvested and packaged the finest sour cherries. However, the subsequent flood in Moldova inflicted considerable damage to orchards, causing split and water-laden cherries.
This situation has driven many growers to turn to the processing market, albeit with the expectation of prices that offset the cost of manual labor for cherry harvesting, estimated at 7-8 lei (0.36-0.42 euros) per kilogram.
The blackcurrant has captured the attention of freezers and importers in the EU. The price of high-quality blackcurrants has risen to 1.7-1.8 euros per kilogram. This year, Ukrainian growers are at the peak of a lucrative opportunity, a rare event that occurs once every few years.
In theory, growers could fetch between 25 and 30 UAH per kilogram from the freezing sector. However, ongoing hostilities and the associated risks to Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure may force processors to err on the side of caution, potentially leading to more conservative price offers.
Read the full article: East Fruit
Image: Chinchiolo Farming
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