An International, Scientific, and Practical conference, “Berry and Vegetable Business: Technologies and Innovations,” will take place on September 18-19 in Rivne and Volyn

22.07.2025, 16:28

Berries + Vegetables – how reasonable is it to combine two seemingly different sectors of agricultural production? It turns out that this practice is quite common worldwide. The combination offers several advantages:

Reduce production risks through crop diversification;
More efficient use of resources (land, machinery, irrigation, storage facilities);
Increase margins through processing and the creation of value-added products.

The combination of berry and vegetable cultivation within a single business is a common model among small, medium, and large agricultural producers in Ukraine as well. According to expert estimates from industry associations, approximately 30-40% of medium-sized vegetable farms also grow berries.

This trend is especially popular among farmers in the central and western regions of Ukraine (Volyn, Lviv, Zhytomyr, Vinnitsa). The popularity is primarily due to similarities in agrotechnical processes (irrigation systems, soil preparation), logistics (cold chains, packaging), and distribution channels (supermarkets, processing, export). As a result, producers can optimize production capacity, reduce risks through crop diversification, and remain flexible in meeting market demand.

These and other themes will be discussed on September 18 in Rivne at the Optima Collection Bergschloss Hotel (14 Petra Mohyla St.), which will cover experts’ speeches related to the berry-vegetable sectors with a discussion panel.

The discussion panel “Berries + Vegetables: A Promising and Profitable Business” will be dedicated to the optimal integration of different agricultural directions within a single enterprise. Participants – including heads of industry associations (both berry and vegetable sectors), scientists, government officials, and farm owners – will discuss how diversification can help to achieve resilience in the challenging conditions of war, how to meet the growing demand for local crops including through berry and vegetable processing, and explore strategies for entering and expanding into export market.

On September 18, the conference will also include an exhibition of the latest technologies and equipment for berry and vegetable production. Additionally, there will be product presentations and tastings of processed food provided by the conference’s food partners – producers of fruit and vegetables.

On September 19, a business tour is scheduled to visit leading berry, vegetable, and processing farms in the Volyn region (details are still being agreed).

The conference is organized by the Technologies and Innovations media group, publisher of the industry journals Horticulture and Vegetable Growing, Nut Wood T.I., Berry Field, and Drinks & Beer T.I.

The conference`s aim is the promotion and implementation of current technologies for the cultivation and processing of berries, vegetables, and other fruits to support the revival of traditional Ukrainian fruit- berry- and vegetable–based beverages, and to encourage the production of value-added products.

The conference program includes:

Summing up the results of 2025 in the berry and vegetable sectors. Key challenges and how producers are overcoming them: war, damaged logistics chains, mined fields, staffing shortages, difficulties in financing new projects, and technical upgrades.
Speeches – presentations by Ukrainians and foreign experts on the successful use of agricultural lands (crop rotation, inter-row planting) and establishing sustainable production systems.
Experience of leading Ukrainian farms to meet demand for local and eco-friendly products based on berries and vegetables.
Presentation of the latest technologies in vegetable and berry growing
Exhibition of current technologies, machinery, and equipment for vegetable growing, horticulture, and processing.
Presentation and tasting of products based on fruits, berries, and vegetables: juices, ciders, fruit and berry wines, liqueurs, distillates, jams, purees, dried products, and more.
Business tour to the leading horticultural. Vegetable and processing enterprises in the Volyn region.

At the end of the conference day, there will be a charity auction of products and services provided by the conference’s partners. The funds will be collected to support one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Conference Participants: Owners, managers, and chief specialists of vegetable and horticultural farms, processing enterprises, and frozen product companies, leaders of industry associations and unions, representatives of technology companies supporting the berry and vegetable sectors, scientists, and anyone interested in creating and successfully developing their own business on their land.

Topics of the Speeches:

Expansion of vertical integration in agriculture – from cultivation to processing and sales under its brand.
Integrating vegetable production into berry businesses to fill seasonal or logistical gaps. Exploring the potential of combining berry and vegetable farming as a successful business model during wartime. Greater attention to technological solutions: harvest automation, precision farming, etc.
Main trends in industries:

Development of vertical integration models (cultivation – processing- packaging – own brand)
Rising demand for ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook products (salads, vegetables, and berry mixes)
Widespread implementation of technologies: harvest automation, precision agriculture, digital monitoring.

Berry and vegetable agronomy in Ukraine in 2025: the most common pests and diseases, and protection measures.
Trends in modern vegetable growing: from traditional crops (cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, beets, etc.) – based on the experiences of companies and farms in 2024-2025.
Ways of turning the “second bread” (potatoes) into money and real profit.
Garlic in Ukraine: meeting the needs of the domestic market and developing export strategies.
The green markets: quality plus stability. From salads to arugula.
Organic berry and vegetable growing: current state and growth prospects.
Export potential in the berry and vegetable sectors: trending crops and varieties.
Modern solutions for processing, storage, and packaging of vegetables and berries: freezing, drying, production of juices, concentrates, healthy food products, etc.
Marketing in the berry and vegetable sector is an essential part of a profitable business.
Fruit and vegetable logistics in Ukraine.
High-quality products should be sold expensively, or how to organize pre-sale handling and build business relationships with a variety of clients – from restaurants to retail chains.
Development of joint berry-vegetables clusters and cooperatives.

On September 18, conference participants will visit agricultural enterprises specialized in growing and processing berries and vegetables located in Volyn.

Registration – via the link: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSf6dwuPJbS.../viewform...

Conference Participation Terms:

As a Participant:

For agricultural producers: 3900UAH – 2days (the price includes participation in all events during 2 days, including a business tour); 2500 UAH – conference day.

For non-agricultural producers (companies)

3500 UAH – conference day; 5500 UAH – 2 days (the price includes participation in all events during 2 days, including a business tour).

For small farms and scientists: 2000UAH conference day. Business tour 1500UAH.

(The price includes coffee breaks, lunch, buffet, service during the event, conference participant package with information materials, detailed post-event report with final presentations of speakers, sent by e-mail, contracts of all exhibiting partners and speakers of the event)

Please note: for subscribers of the journals “Horticulture and Vegetable Growing. Technologies and Innovations”, “Drinks. T. I”., “Berry Fields”, “Nut Wood” – preferable conditions for participation in the conference (10OFF).

Accommodation – Hotel “Optima Collection Bergshloss Rivne” (tel.: +380981384624)

Discount for conference participants – 10OFF

Registration of participants and partners – by contacts:

Larysa Tovkach, tel.: +380979689516

Anna Pankratenkova, tel.: +380977592583

Iryna Petroniuk, tel.: +380964916692

Project Manager Nadiia Yashchuk, tel.: +380685685822, rnadia@ukr.net

Creative Director: Kateryna Koneva, Editor – in- ChiefPublisher of the Technologies and Innovations project, tel.: +380672381851, kateryna.koneva@gmail.com