The primary exported products were frozen cauliflower, broccoli, and sweet corn. Key buyers included Germany, Israel, Belgium, Italy, Poland, France, and Romania. Notably, Israel predominantly imported frozen sweet corn from Ukraine.
Andriy Yarmak, an economist from the investment department of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), explained that the surge in frozen vegetable exports is linked to the rapid development of berry cultivation in Ukraine.
"After the significant increase in raspberry production, investors started investing in new freezing enterprises for this berry. To maximize the use of equipment, storage capacities, and marketing efforts, many businesses expanded their product range to include other berries, fruits, and even vegetables. This strategy has allowed for the consistent growth of frozen vegetable exports over several years," Yarmak stated.
Yarmak also mentioned that Ukraine is still in the early stages of developing this industry.
"Currently, Ukraine imports more frozen vegetables than it exports. Therefore, improving product quality and expanding the product range are critical. The primary gaps in Ukraine's frozen vegetable market are in the segments of sweet pepper freezing, vegetable mixes, and greens," he added.
