Blueberries outpace strawberries in Moldova
Blueberries are becoming increasingly popular in the Republic of Moldova, even surpassing strawberry consumption, according to Aneta Ganenco, the president of the "Pomusoarele Moldovei" Association. However, the demand in the domestic market far exceeds the supply that local producers can currently provide.
The Toma family from the Ungheni district runs a business in which all its members are involved: they grow organic berries, including blueberries, chokeberries, and sea buckthorn. Currently, it is blueberry season, which is very popular with consumers, says Lia Letisia Cucu-Toma.
"We have American blueberries available in three varieties: the large Chandler, the small Blue Crop, and the medium Duke. Fortunately, they have not been stressed by the weather conditions, but they are certainly stressed by the birds, who are also hungry. However, I believe they need to eat too—just like us. Yes, some of the berries go for sale. Our days start early, at 5:00 AM, and end late, around 10:00 PM. We begin with picking, then irrigation, and also try to scare away the birds. We have work all day long," Lia Letisia Cucu-Toma explained.
Although the number of farmers growing blueberries is increasing, the demand in the domestic market far exceeds supply, leading to an influx of imported berries, according to the president of the Association, Aneta Ganenco.
"If the market is relatively 'empty' and Moldovan blueberries are insufficient, traders will import berries from abroad. We have borders with both Romania and Ukraine, countries known for their blueberry cultivation. Their land is more suitable for growing blueberries, allowing for mass production. As a result, in the market, you can find Moldovan, Romanian, or Ukrainian blueberries. It's also worth noting that blueberries have gained popularity in recent years. In some statistics, their consumption rates are comparable to, or even surpass, that of strawberries. In any case, we see that consumer demand for these fruits exceeds the available supply," said Ganenco.
Currently, a kilogram of blueberries sells for up to 180 lei. This relatively high price is due to the specific growing conditions required for the shrub, as Aneta Ganenco pointed out.
"Blueberries are a specific type of shrub that requires certain soils with an acidic pH. Unfortunately, the Republic of Moldova has very few lands of this type. Most of the soil here has a basic pH, whereas this plant thrives best at a pH around 5. The prices for blueberries range from 100 to 180 lei at present. These prices are lovely and encourage farmers to invest in this agricultural business," noted Aneta Ganenco.
According to the “Pomoșoarele Moldovei” Association, most of the domestic production of blueberries is intended for local consumption; however, this quantity does not meet the overall demand.
Currently, there are approximately 100 hectares of blueberry plantations in the Republic of Moldova.
