Experts have shared their forecasts on the berry harvest for the current season and trends in the berry sector.

In the current season, it is expected to harvest about 25 thousand tons of berries, according to the forecast by experts from the "Berry Academy" and the Berry Union. They note that the level of productivity is approximately equal to last year's, and attribute this to two conflicting factors - the introduction of new plantings that were carried out in previous years and unfavorable weather conditions this year.

This can be divided into two parts: the presence of new plantings and unfavorable weather conditions last year and this year. That's why we almost didn't collect currant berries this year. Organizations and enterprises engaged in berry growing suffer from frost for the second year in a row in regions where currants are grown, especially during their flowering period.

On the other hand, remontant raspberries yielded a record harvest this season due to an extended period of berry picking. Autumn was warm, and raspberry picking continued until the end of October. "Many enterprises report record harvests not only of raspberries but also of blackberries," adds Irina Koziy.

The strawberry harvest is approximately the same as last year. However, there is an increase in the volume of berries grown in tunnels and a decrease in the open ground harvest due to frosts that damaged flowers of early varieties and the first wave of remontant varieties in this crop.

Blueberries suffered not only from frosts but also from a cold winter. In many regions, except the southernmost ones, the plants did not overwinter well, leading to a decrease in the harvest. Koziy notes that blueberries are grown not only in Russia but also in neighboring countries. For example, in Georgia, areas under new blueberry plantations are actively expanding, primarily aimed at export, mostly to Russia. "The harvest time coincides with the picking period in the southern regions of Russia, creating stiff competition for our producers with foreign suppliers," the expert points out.

Difficulties have arisen for the berry sector as a whole due to a significant increase in production costs. "We hear complaints from consumers about price hikes, but the cost of growing berries has increased much more than the characteristics producers can add to the price of their products. Increasing prices in line with the full cost increase is impossible because it will lead to a sharp decrease in berry consumption. After all, the purchasing power of our citizens has not increased so much," says Koziy.

The increase in production costs occurs for several reasons. One of the most obvious is the sharp rise in labor costs, which is associated with the exchange rate of the ruble, which plummeted in 2023 and continues to stay at a low level, as well as restrictions on the work of seasonal workers from other countries. "In the past season, almost all agricultural enterprises, including large farms in the berry industry, which heavily depend on manual labor, relied on foreign workers," clarifies the expert. In berry growing, there are many operations that are currently impossible to mechanize. "Moreover, when it comes to strawberries, mass harvest mechanization has not yet been introduced anywhere in the world. There are experimental models, but their application is currently too expensive and not profitable for mass production," emphasizes Koziy. Russian berry producers, mostly small farms, simply do not have enough funds for large-scale mechanization implementation even where possible.

Another significant factor affecting the cost increase is the rise in all components necessary for berry growing due to disruptions in international supplies, as practically everything used in berry cultivation is imported. "Our industry is too small to develop mass production of the technologies, materials, and equipment needed for berry growing in Russia. The market is not sufficient," explains Koziy. Transport costs are also increasing - both international and on domestic markets in Russia - as prices for transport services rise due to a shortage of drivers, vehicles, and fuel price increases.

This year, the share of imported fresh berries in the Russian market is about 70-75%. If we consider berry processing as well, the share of domestic products will be even lower - about 15%. Koziy emphasizes that for increasing the share of Russian berries and developing the industry, it is necessary to apply new technologies, meaning modern materials, equipment, and knowledge, and financing is needed for their implementation, for example, providing preferential loans. "One of the most significant difficulties hindering the improvement and development of the industry is insufficient funding for new and modernization of existing projects, such as mechanization implementation," she concludes.