KYIV. July 5 (Interfax-Ukraine) - The capacity of the berry market in Ukraine is estimated at 190,000-200,000 tonnes, or more than $250-300 million, while its annual growth rate is 2-4%, UkrAgroConsult CEO Serhiy Feofilov has said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine.

"The berry market of Ukraine is at the stage of formation. Investment has recently come here. Currently we are on the threshold of a highly liquid berry market in Ukraine," he said.

According to the expert, over the past few years the area under berry plantations in Ukraine grew by several times, the assortment of berries expanded. At the same time, berry consumption is three or four times less than in Europe.

Manufacturers noted difficulty in exporting fresh berries due to the closure of the Russian market. EU states import mainly frozen berries, but such production in Ukraine is not high enough.

"Almost 90% of my clients believe the Russian market will open. But the market won't open not because we have bad relations but because very large investments have been made to develop berry fields in Russia. Currants and raspberries grow well in Russia, there are state programs of support," Director of the Brusviana berry farm Liliana Dmitriyeva said.

She said there are prospects for exports to countries where a hot climate does not allow growing some types of berries.

She stated the government and the Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food should lobby for the opening of markets for exports of Ukrainian berries and removal of quarantine restrictions in this field.