Kosovo berries are set for an excellent season in 2020.  Blueberries from Kosovo are commanding good prices in Europe due to Kosovo producers’ strategic location and the ability to farm berries earlier than other European suppliers. Also contributing to the popularity of Kosovo berries is the decrease in the availability of frozen berries, leading to an increased demand for fresh raspberries.  USAID’s assistance and support to Kosovo farmers has positioned them to take advantage of these opportunities in the European market. 

The Dukagjini valley, a region in western Kosovo that has a unique climate due to its geographic location, is the main focus for Kosovo’s production of blueberries.  The climate of this region allows for the production and sale of blueberry varieties at a time when there are fewer competitors in the global market.  Strong seasonal price fluctuations characterize the blueberry market in Europe as supply shifts from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere.  By coming to market after the close of the Moroccan and Argentinian supply windows, and before the high-volume Polish crop, Kosovo fresh blueberries can reach a price of €6 per kilogram in the European market, as is the case this year.  

Like blueberries, Kosovo raspberries are also set to receive excellent prices in 2020.  While raspberry farmers throughout Europe were reducing their crops when prices fell in 2017 and 2018, Kosovo raspberry farmers were maintaining, and often expanding, their crops with support from USAID.  The starting seasonal price for raspberries in 2020 is already 23 percent higher than last year’s.  The return to profitable prices is encouraging Kosovo’s small-scale farmers to remain with their raspberry crops and become more savvy of commercial farming trends.

With the support of USAID, Kosovo berry farmers have established linkages with distributors and identified profitable markets for their products.  Additionally, USAID supported farmers in having their blueberry and raspberry production certified under GLOBAL G.A.P., the worldwide standard for good agricultural practices. The strategic timing of Kosovo’s berry production coupled with established relationships with large packing and supermarket delivery networks ensures that Kosovo’s now reliable supply of high-quality and certified products will continue to provide a sustainable and lucrative opportunity for farmers in Kosovo.