On November 18-20, 2020, six Ukrainian berry exporters took part in the Asia Fruit Logistica ON international exhibition, sponsored by the ITC “Eastern Partnership: Ready to Trade – an EU4Business Initiative” project and the Ukrainian Berries Association. The virtual format of the event united thousands of exhibitors of fresh produce with buyers and sellers from all over the world.
The project organized a joint stand for 6 Ukrainian berry exporters: TOV Nikdaria (TM iBerry), TOV Sady Dnipra, TOV Artel №1 (TM Artberry), TOV Family Garden, TOV HIGHBERRY, and APC Yahidky (TM BigBlue). Over the three days of the exhibition, Ukrainian participants organized 30 B2B meetings with importers from 12 countries: China, India, Egypt, the Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, the US, Canada, Australia, UAE, Qatar, and Iran. Ukraine’s berry growers presented their products to potential customers, agreed on specifications, and planned the upcoming season.
“To prepare for the exhibition, the Association demonstrated online tools and capabilities, and the way virtual communication works,” says Ukrainian Berries Association Executive Director Elena Kaijen. “This helped exhibitors to get the most out of the event. We exchanged contacts with over 50 companies and saw great interest on European and Asian markets in high-quality berries from Ukraine."
The “Eastern Partnership: Ready to Trade – an EU4Business Initiative” project is being implemented in Ukraine by the International Trade Centre and supported by the EU as part of its EU4Business initiative. The project’s aim is to help small and mid-sized growers and processors of berry products, and apparel companies to increase their competitiveness, integrate into global production chains, and gain access to new markets, including the EU.