International Conference “Berry and Vegetable Business: Technologies and Innovations” took place in Rivne: Key Highlights

22.09.2025, 16:58

In 2025, Ukraine’s berry and vegetable sector successfully combine its rich agricultural traditions with advanced technologies. Innovative solutions are no longer just tools for increasing productivity but are becoming a decisive factor in strengthening Ukrainian producers` global competitiveness. A clear demonstration of this was during the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Berry and Vegetable Business: Technologies and Innovations,” held in Rivne at the Optima Collection Bergschloss Rivne Hotel (14 Petra Mohyly St.).

The event brought together more than 300 participants from across Ukraine. On September 18, the conference included presentations by 30 speakers — representatives of leading berry, vegetable, and technology companies — and a large-scale exhibition showcasing state-of-the-art technologies and equipment for berry and vegetable production. On September 19, participants joined a business tour of leading farms in Rivne and Volyn regions: LLC “Yahody Volyni” (Berries of Volyn), LLC “SAV AGRO PARTNER”, and Farm Enterprise “Kalyna-Buhryn.”

The conference was organized with the support of key partners:

The Main Organizational Partner of the event was the Association “Ukrsadvinprom.” The Main Industry Partner was the Ukrainian Berries Association. The Main Technological Partner of the Conference was EFT GROUP. Another Main Technological Partner was the engineering company Soniachni Systemy (“Solar Systems”). The Main Technical Partner was Biochem Agro (“Biokhim”). The Exclusive Partner of the conference was the Riven Brewery.

The opening of the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Berry and Vegetable Business: Technologies and Innovations” began with a welcoming speech by the founders of the Technologies and Innovations media group and the organizers of the event — Kateryna KONEVA and Nadiia YASHCHUK. In their speech, they welcomed the participants and partners of the conference, expressed gratitude for their support and trust in the initiative aimed at developing the berry and vegetable sector and implementing innovative technologies in production and processing.

The organizers presented all the partners of the event, outlined the key topics, and announced a rich two-day program that included presentations by leading experts, panel discussions, demonstrations of innovative solutions, and opportunities for building business connections. In their address, they emphasized the strategic importance of such conferences for forming a professional community, sharing experience, and promoting the integration of Ukrainian agribusiness into global markets.

 

The next welcoming speech was delivered by Volodymyr Pechko, Head of the Association “Ukrsadvinprom,” who emphasized the importance of horticulture for Ukrainian agribusiness: “Positive changes include the continuation of the state budget program for 2026, with funding of UAH 1.3 billion, and its expansion to vegetable production and storage facilities. Additionally, post-harvest handling was added to Resolution No. 739, which will further support export opportunities. At the same time, concerns remain regarding the lack of progress on legislative changes to address labor shortages during harvesting, as employment centers fail to recognize this issue. I sincerely thank the conference organizers, Nadiia Yashchuk and Kateryna Koneva, for their professionalism, cozy atmosphere, and for creating a platform that unites industry stakeholders. Your events have become a platform for new knowledge, partnerships, and community development.”

 

Representatives of the partner companies of the conference and business tour also joined the opening remarks: Vitalii Ishmurat, Head of Farm Enterprise “Yahody Volyni”; Andrii Shvydniuk, Co-Founder of SAV Agro Partner; Oleh Kravchuk, Director of Kalyna-Buhryn; and Marian Hoda, Owner of Riven’ Brewery.

Berry Growing Without Borders: International Experts on Modern Technologies and the Future of the Industry

Among the wide range of conference topics, special attention was drawn to the block dedicated to practical case studies of successful business development. In particular, Jan Robben, Agronomist at Flevo Berry B.V. (Netherlands), shared his experience in ensuring effective interaction between selected plant varieties, irrigation systems, nutrition schemes, leaf management methods, and climatic conditions to achieve an optimal balance of growth and fruiting in strawberries.

 

Jeremy Darby (United Kingdom), an independent agronomist and consultant specializing in berry, asparagus, and nursery crop production with over 40 years of experience, presented insights on the latest trends in strawberry production in the UK. His presentation covered labor-saving technologies, plant protection programs based on biocontrol solutions, and recommendations on variety selection. Mr. Darby advises berry growers and nurseries across the UK, Europe, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, and other countries.

 Bartłomiej Danek, Director of NIWA Hodowla Roślin Jagodowych (Poland), presented information on modern promising raspberry varieties and shared Poland’s and Ukraine’s experience in raspberry cultivation.

 

Ivanna Dragan, Editor of the specialized website "Berry field", introduced participants to the Yagidnyk project — a platform created to support and advance agribusiness. In her presentation, she detailed the platform’s key features, its informational and analytical value for berry and vegetable producers, and the tools that help farmers access up-to-date knowledge, exchange experiences, and promote their products in both domestic and international markets.

Iryna Kukhtina, President of the Ukrainian Berries Association, presented the key aspects of the industry’s development in 2025. Speaking about the future of Ukrainian berry production in the global arena, she noted:

“Berry growing has achieved significant success in exports: Ukraine is one of the world’s leaders in frozen raspberry exports, and blueberry exports have also grown considerably. For example, Poland increased its blueberry exports 2.3 times in volume to 2.51, with prices remaining nearly the same despite inflation.”

 

Modern Trends and Practical Experience in Berry and Vegetable Production: Technologies, Markets, and Innovations

As part of the event, a panel discussion “Current Trends in Berry and Vegetable Trade: Effective Sales in Ukraine and Abroad” was held, focusing on the optimal combination of different business directions within a single enterprise. The session was moderated by Iryna Kukhtina, President of the Ukrainian Berries Association. Participants included representatives of retail chains, berry and vegetable farms, procurement organizations, and freezing facilities: Serhii Sukhyna, Head of Artika Bio; Vitalii Sydorenko, Director of Yarofrut; and Vitalii Zakharchuk, Head of West Nord.

 

Olha Yulina, Co-Founder of Yulina Vineyard, shared her experience of establishing a vineyard from the ground up.

Sander Könen, Co-Owner of the nursery and production company Thwan van Gennip Plants B.V. (Netherlands), presented insights into asparagus cultivation in response to the current demands of the European market, including field preparation, varietal selection, technologies, care, and protection methods.

 Leszek Sawicki, Founder of Progress Engineering (Poland) and official representative in Ukraine through Eucalipt P company, highlighted effective solutions for professional berry and vegetable production: modern greenhouses, tunnels, and protected cultivation technologies.

Eduard Malchenko, Director of Podillia Ovoschi LLC (Ternopil region), talked about the specifics of vegetable cultivation in both open field and greenhouse conditions. Dmytro Brytsov (Deddens Agro LLC) also shared his experience in vegetable production, including leafy greens, onions, carrots, and beets, cultivated in both open and undercover.

 

Organic Berry Growing in Wartime: Experience of the Company Dyvo-Yahoda.

The company Dyvo-Yahoda located in the village of Druzhba, Krasnohrad District, Kharkiv Region, has been a certified organic producer since 2019, also holding an Organic Standard certificate for the processing and storage of organic berries.

The head of the enterprise, Vitalii Vasyliev, noted:

“Our company specializes in the cultivation, freezing, and export of strawberries and raspberries, using drip irrigation and only permitted preparations according to the organic technology map. Despite challenges, including spring frosts that caused crop losses and delayed the raspberry harvest, Dyvo-Yahoda continues to adhere to the principles of organic production. We operate our own shock-freezing facilities, utilize imported cooling equipment combined with Ukrainian sorting and packaging technologies, and plan to expand our strawberry areas to 10 hectares, remaining committed to the philosophy of organic farming even under the difficult conditions of war.

 

Innovative Approaches to Nutrition and Protection of Berry and Vegetable Crops

Oleh Dubyna, Development Director of Rodonit Agro, presented insights into nutrition and crop protection for horticultural crops, using the experience of local farms as examples.

Andrii Osikovyi, Leading Specialist at Summit-Agro Ukraine, provided information on effective crop protection and yield enhancement solutions for berries and vegetables using the company’s products.

Yaroslava Bukhonska, Plant Physiologist at the biotechnology company BTU, shared practical recommendations on the use of bioproducts in berry cultivation.

Serhii Zhovnir, Fruit, Vegetable, and Viticulture Specialist at Agritema, presented global biological solutions for berry and vegetable production.

Ruslan Havrylyanchyk, Product Manager and Head of R&D at Uniferix, shared experience on calcium nutrition, focusing on ensuring crop stability and quality.

 

Oleksandr Levdanskyi, Product Manager at Timac Agro Ukraine, introduced the French company specializing in fertilizers, biostimulants, and micronutrients for berry and technical crops:

“The uniqueness of our products lies in our granulated fertilizers with phosphorus protection and biostimulants that increase yields and improve berry quality. We presented new products: the DNA line (Jenectis-1 and Jenectis-3), which helps combat drought and control water balance, as well as the FertiActyl Radical biostimulant, which contains the FertiActyl complex, Boron, and Manganese. It enhances phosphorus absorption, stimulates root development, improves energy processes and stress resistance, and contributes to the formation of sugars, lipids, and amino acids. Our company actively cooperates with large agricultural enterprises, supporting them in obtaining GlobalG.A.P. certification and entering international markets. Timac Agro Ukraine complements existing technologies, not replacing them, but helping increase both yield and quality.”

 

Implementing Modern Technologies for Berry and Vegetable Crops — A Timely Priority

Anna Hontarenko, Project Manager at private enterprise L-Trans Service, presented information on glazing lines for frozen and freeze-dried berries.

Oleksandr Riabchuk, Chief Power Engineer at BMSERVICE and representative of BM Distribution, told participants about the requirements for preparing berries and vegetables for freezing:

“BMSERVICE specializes in the design, installation, and maintenance of refrigeration systems of any complexity — from small businesses to large industrial facilities. Our company follows European eco-standards, implementing systems based on natural refrigerants — ammonia, CO₂, and propane. These technologies are gradually replacing ozone-depleting refrigerants and are key to Ukraine’s European integration. Since 2018, BMSERVICE has been training specialists abroad and has already implemented the first project in Ukraine for Metro using natural refrigerants — a distribution center in Khmelnytskyi with CO₂ technology. Currently, we are working on the largest warehouse in Europe, located near Kyiv, with a total area of 65,000 m².”

 

Advancing Green Technologies and Modern Solutions in Ukrainian Berry and Vegetable Production

 As part of the conference program, discussions also touched on the future of eco-technologies in agriculture. A representative of BMSERVICE noted:

“I also consult the Ministry of Ecology on the development of a ‘green roadmap’ for Ukraine’s transition to natural refrigerants. This is a critical step for EU accession, as by 2036 all enterprises must abandon ozone-depleting technologies. The main challenges include a shortage of qualified specialists, high system pressures (up to 120 atmospheres), and the absence of dedicated training centers. I proposed establishing a training center in Kyiv, since preparing experts takes at least four years. However, the government has yet to fully recognize the scale of the issue. At the same time, I positively estimate  industry events and the growing interest in eco-technologies in Ukraine.”

The conference was also presented by using a speech on mechanized berry harvesting — realities, challenges, and the experience of implementation in Ukraine, presented by Yevа Bezkorovayna, representative of Weremczuk Agro (Poland), the exclusive representative of Biochem Agro in Ukraine, and a member of the EFT GROUP — the main technological partner of the conference.

Serhii Zmiichuk, CEO of the company FruTek, shared insights into modern technological practices in berry farming aimed at achieving consistent success.

Vladyslav Razkevych, Owner and Director of Eucalipt P, told about the company’s specialization in irrigation systems, soil moisture monitoring, and comprehensive automated solutions for both open-field and protected cultivation:

“Irrigation today is an integral part of modern farming, and the main task of farmers is not only to grow but also to preserve their harvest. Eucalipt P offers not only irrigation equipment but also environmental control systems for greenhouses. Special attention is given to tunnel greenhouse complexes, which protect crops from spring frosts, ensure more consistent yields, and extend the harvesting season into late autumn. These lightweight film-covered structures do not require heating and are partially supported by state programs for farmers.”

 

At the conference, Sviatoslav Markov, Co-Owner of the engineering company Soniachni Systemy (“Solar Systems”), shared practical experience in implementing solar power plants and energy storage solutions in agribusiness:

“These solutions have allowed farms to reduce electricity costs by up to 60% and turn their own energy generation into a strategic resource. Renewable energy not only reduced expenses but also created an additional competitive advantage for Ukrainian berry and vegetable enterprises.”

The event also hosted a large-scale exhibition of modern technologies and equipment for berry and vegetable production, presenting more than 50 stands. The program additionally included product presentations and tastings by the conference’s food partners, including Strong Distillery and Eco-Krai Farm, showcasing processed fruit and vegetable products.

Technology Exhibition: Key Participants

 As part of the conference, a large-scale exhibition of technologies and solutions for berry and vegetable production was held, bringing together leading companies that presented advanced products and services to support the industry’s growth.

Among the participants were companies specializing in:

               •             Berry and fruit seedlings production and sales: FruTek, De Kemp Ukraine, Novosad, Yulinykh Vineyard, Malyn Plant, Plant Club, Rosehip of Ukraine, Chystyi Produkt, Klioma Service, Fruktovyi Sad AT.

               • Irrigation systems manufacturing and installation: Eucalipt P, Progress Engineering Leszek Sawicki (partnering with Eucalipt P), Vodovid, Profpoliv.

•             Equipment for freezing, processing, sorting, packaging, and storage of berry and vegetable products: BMSERVICE, Insolar-Kholod, Insortex, Chotyry Stykhii (Four Elements), YASNO, Uni-Masz h.m. Juszczuk sp.j. (UNI-MASZ), Sorter-Pak, ICL, Uniferix, Sens Agro, Grosstar, TerraTarsa Ukraine, Rosana Biological Solutions, Kholod-Inzhyniring (Cold Engineering), Alfa Smart Agro, Agro Mel, Messe Berlin / Tolsma, Intermet Ukraine, Alfainterplast, L-Trans Service.

•             Crop protection and nutrition solutions: Agritema, Rodonit Agro, BTU Biotechnology Company, Timac Agro Ukraine, Bionorma, Summit-Agro Ukraine, Libra Agro, BeeStar, Ramos Trading Company, Tandem Agro, Dünger, Planta Grupp, Himagro M.

The exhibition once again confirmed the strong interest of Ukrainian and international businesses in innovative technologies for berry and vegetable growing, processing, and export development.

Here’s the press-release style English translation of your text:

 

Charity Auction in Support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

 

At the end of the conference day, as has become a tradition during wartime, a Charity Auction of goods and services provided by conference partners was held. This time, more than UAH 70,000 was raised to purchase equipment for repairing heavy military machinery for the 38th Separate Marine Brigade named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachny.

Among those serving in this unit since the first days of the full-scale invasion is Ruslan Litsiuk, an employee of the Optima Collection Bergschloss Rivne hotel, which acted as the event’s organizational partner.

The highest-priced lot of the auction was a plush toy provided by BMSERVICE, which was sold for UAH 6,000. Overall, more than 15 partner companies contributed lots for the auction, including: Planta Grupp, Timac Agro Ukraine, Bionormic, Sens Agro, BioChem Agro, BTU, GroGreen, Plant Club, Volynska Yagidka, FruTek, Malyn Plant, Libra Agro, Plastmodern, Agreen, Chystyi Produkt, Fruit Logistics, Gullin, Yasno, HZPC, and Weremchuk.

 

Business Tour: Showcasing Leading Berry and Vegetable Enterprises

 In addition to the plenary sessions, the program included a business tour on September 19 to leading berry, vegetable, and processing farms in Rivne and Volyn regions.

 The participants visited:

•             Yahody Volyni enterprise – a cluster uniting farms across Volyn that cultivate raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, blackcurrants, sea buckthorn, and rhubarb on over 200 hectares of certified land, strictly following organic production standards.

•             Kalyna-Buhryn Farm (Rivne region) – specializing in the cultivation of traditional “borscht vegetables” on nearly 200 hectares, with about 80% of its production supplied to national retail chains including Metro Cash&Carry, Silpo, and Velmart.

•             SAV Agro Partner enterprise (Volyn region) – operating since 2017, focusing on organic cultivation, freezing, and sales of strawberries, raspberries, cherries, and sea buckthorn on 83 hectares of farmland.

The next conference organized by the Technology and Innovation Media Group will be held on December 11–12 under the theme “Berry Growing and Processing: Technologies and Innovations”, along with the 5th Congress on Freezing and Cold Logistics.

More articles based on the conference materials will be published in the journal Horticulture and Vegetable Growing. Technologies and Innovations on the website techhorticulture.com.

 

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