Ukrainian frozen raspberry exports face trade barriers; prices under pressure in Europe
A 20-tonne shipment of frozen raspberries from Ukraine was blocked from entering the Polish market due to labeling irregularities, highlighting ongoing quality control and trade issues affecting Eastern European raspberry exports.
Ukrainian frozen raspberries continue to play a significant role in European supply, but quality control remains an issue. On 10 August 2026, Polish authorities barred a 20,310 kg shipment of Ukrainian frozen raspberries from entering Poland, citing labeling irregularities. This ban applies immediately, removing a significant volume from the market and potentially affecting availability for processors and buyers in Poland and neighboring countries relying on Ukrainian imports.
Wholesale and processing prices for frozen raspberries in Europe have shown volatility. In the last week of July and the first week of August (weeks 28–31), the average price paid by processors for frozen raspberries in key European markets dropped from PLN 18.07/kg (EUR 4.2/kg) in week 29 to PLN 16.88/kg (EUR 3.9/kg) in week 31, a decrease of approximately 5%. This downward trend reflects increased availability from the ongoing harvest in Eastern Europe and competitive pressures between suppliers.
Eastern European countries, particularly Ukraine and Serbia, are among the main exporters of frozen raspberries to EU markets. However, incidents like the recent Ukrainian shipment rejection may influence buyer preference, create temporary supply gaps, or shift demand toward other origins such as Serbia or Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially for the Polish processing sector.
The 2026 raspberry harvest in Eastern Europe has been challenged by high temperatures, with tunnel-grown crops experiencing heat up to 38°C during flowering and fruit set. Growers have reported the need for enhanced irrigation and potassium fertilization to mitigate heat stress and maintain fruit quality. Despite these challenges, the current harvest is supplying sufficient volumes to keep prices relatively stable, though weather extremes may affect overall yields and fruit quality in the coming weeks.
In the European retail sector, demand for raspberries remains steady during the summer peak. Any disruptions in supply from Eastern European exporters could impact availability and pricing in major import markets, including Germany, France, and the Netherlands, as well as Poland.
Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker · Illustrative image generated by AI