BERRY AND FREEZING INDUSTRIES DEMONSTRATE STRONG POTENTIAL: RESULTS OF “SMARTBERRY 2025 — TECHNOLOGIES. INNOVATIONS. SUCCESS” (December 11–12, 2025, Kyiv)

17.12.2025, 16:29

 The International Berry Scientific and Practical Conference was held on December 11–12, 2025, in Kyiv at the “Verkhovyna” hotel and restaurant complex under a new, vibrant name: “SMARTBERRY 2025 — TECHNOLOGIES. INNOVATIONS. SUCCESS.”

The conference was organized by the media group “Technologies and Innovations,” publisher of the popular professional journals “Berry Growing,” and “Horticulture and Vegetable Growing. Technologies and Innovations,” “Drinks & Beer. Technologies and Innovations.”

Despite wartime conditions, the conference was exceptionally representative, as it is every year. It should be noted that this was the final event to summarize the results of 2025 for industry participants and organizers. This year, around 300 leading representatives of the berry and horticultural sectors, technology companies, processors, exporters, and researchers from all regions of Ukraine — from Zakarpattia to Kherson and Kharkiv took part in SmartBerry 2025.

The event program also included the Congress “The Power of Cold: Effective Solutions for Business,” dedicated to modern approaches to freezing and product storage. In parallel, a large-scale exhibition of innovations and equipment for the berry sector was held, where leading companies showcased fertilizers, crop protection products, berry sorting and freezing systems, mechanization equipment for plantations, and a wide range of processed products. Numerous food partners — companies creating value-added products from berries and fruits — organized tastings of wines, beers, juices, and more.

On the next day, December 12, training sessions started at the newly established Berry&Fruit Academy with leading international experts. Another group of participants, as part of a business tour, visited leading berry enterprises of the region — nursery “Fruktovyy Sad AT” and farm “Wowberry.”

The conference “SMARTBERRY 2025 — TECHNOLOGIES. INNOVATIONS. SUCCESS” was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine.

Main Technological Partner: EFT Group

Main Legal Partner: IP & Law firm “Pakharenko & Partners”

Main Industry Partner of the Conference: Ukrainian Horticulture, Viticulture and Winemaking Association (UKRSADVYNPROM)

Main Berry Partner (Blueberry): Association “Producers of Blueberries of Ukraine”

Main Industry Partner of the “Power of Cold” Congress: Association “Berry Growing of Ukraine”

Business Tour Partners: nursery “Fruktovyy Sad AT” and farm “Wowberry.”

Main Wine Partner: “Frumushyka-Nova”

Main Beer Partner: “Bohdanivska Brewery,” featuring a special berry beer.

The Media Group Celebrates 15 Years

The conference was opened with a welcoming speech by the founders of the media group “Technologies and Innovations” and the organizers of the International Scientific and Practical Conference, Kateryna Koneva and Nadiia Yashchuk.

“Today, representatives from all regions of Ukraine and even from Europe are present in this hall. We would like to express our admiration to you — for the fact that you exist, that you work and develop for the benefit of your enterprises and your country. For as many as 15 years, the media group Technologies and Innovations has been working together with you, and thank you all for trusting us. It is gratifying to note that today among you there are dozens of companies and farming enterprises that started their journey together with us all these years. Among our first partners were the companies EFT, Eucalyptus, Dolyna Agro, Frutek, and many others. From the very first days, the law firm Pakharenko & Partners has been cooperating with us. For 10 years now, the NGO UKRSADVYNPROM and its head Volodymyr Pechko have been by our side. Today we are holding our 46th event, and soon we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of our industry events, which bring together readers, producers, and partners and repeatedly prove their high efficiency. The media group was founded in 2011 with the launch of its first professional journals, “Drinks. Technologies and Innovations.” Later, the publications “Horticulture and Viticulture” (now “Horticulture and Vegetable Growing”), the journals “Berry Field,” and the projects “Nut Wood” and “Beer. T.I” appeared. In total, more than 150 periodical issues have been published in print. We are actively developing three industry websites and an event platform, which are also highly effective today. Tomorrow we are launching another project — our Berry and Horticulture Academy, the Berry&Fruit Academy. Thus, we are presenting to you an updated digital and offline platform, T&I Agro Hub, which promotes modern technologies, innovative methodologies, and the best global practices. Our journals, websites, conferences, and forums, as well as pages and groups on social media — Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok — operate as a single successful ecosystem.”

Fundraising in Support of the 72nd Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Since the beginning of the full-scale war, the media group “Technologies and Innovations” has been systematically engaged in charitable activities, having already held more than 20 charity auctions in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the participation of partners and raising significant funds for our Defenders.

This important component was also part of SMARTBERRY 2025: a farmer from the Kyiv region, Oleh Pustovoit, who grows garden strawberries in tunnels and in open fields, organized a fundraising initiative in support of the 72nd Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

State Support for Horticulture, Berry Growing, and Vegetable Production in 2026

Serhii Hvozd, Head of the Vegetable and Potato Growing Sector of the Crop Production Department at the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, spoke about state support programs and measures for horticultural and berry farms in 2026: “The draft State Budget of Ukraine for 2026 allocates UAH 1.3 billion for grant programs supporting horticulture and vegetable production. All participation conditions are available to farmers in the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine ‘Certain Issues of Grant Support for Business’ No. 738. In 2026, the support volumes remain unchanged: up to UAH 10 million for horticulture projects and up to UAH 7 million for vegetable production projects per applicant. Over the past four years, 3,371 hectares of orchards have been planted under the program, and 387 farms have received greenhouse grants totaling UAH 528 million. Although, the acceptance of applications was suspended in May 2025, all projects that have received approval will be financed in February 2026. Currently, the development of a new procedure for compensation for vegetable storage construction is nearing completion. The document has been coordinated and has received a positive conclusion from the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine. We expect the program to be launched in February–March 2026. The only condition for participation will be the construction of new modern vegetable storage facilities with controlled atmosphere systems, ventilation, and microclimate control.”

Grant Support Is Real

During the conference, a discussion panel titled “Survive and Win: New Markets and Sales for Ukrainian Berries in Times of Instability” was held. The panel was moderated by Volodymyr Pechko, Head of the Ukrainian Horticulture, Viticulture and Winemaking Association (UKRSADVYNPROM), an expert in fruit and vegetable market development, an active participant in working groups of the Ministry of Economy, and a consultant to berry and horticultural enterprises.

The panel participants included Taras Bashtannyk, President of the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association; Serhii Ostapets, Project Manager of the Agricultural and Rural Development Program (AGRO); Oleh Didukh, FAO Technical Expert; and Pavlo Ladetskyi, National Technical Advisor of the UNIDO GQSP Ukraine Project.

During the discussion, participants addressed FAO grant support for farm operations, particularly in the areas of machinery and equipment, mechanization, solar power plants, greenhouses, and planting material. They also discussed future development plans, state support mechanisms, new sales formats, and marketing support. Special attention was given to the UNIDO GQSP Ukraine Project, which supports training, certification, participation in exhibitions, and marketing in the context of quality improvement and promotion. The discussion was complemented by practical examples of farmers who managed to preserve and develop their businesses under challenging economic conditions.

Legislation and Certification of Planting Material

A presentation reviewing legislative changes and the application of regulations in the registration, certification, and propagation of planting material was delivered by Ivanna Marchenko, Plant Variety Specialist at the patent and law firm “Pakharenko & Partners,” the Main Legal Partner of the SmartBerry Conference.

Key Trends and the Experience of Successful Berry Production

Iryna Kukhtina, President of the Association “Berry Growing of Ukraine,” presented a development strategy for the Ukrainian berry sector based on a combination of modern technologies, effective marketing, and producer cooperation. She demonstrated how the “Ukrainian Berry” brand can become a symbol of quality and stability in global markets, enabling a transition from raw commodity production to a strong branded presence.

The conference was actively supported by members of the Association “Producers of Blueberries of Ukraine,” the Official Berry Partner of the event. Ivan Hrechkivskyi, Executive Director of the Association “Producers of Blueberries of Ukraine” and CEO of Family Garden LLC, spoke about the main areas of the association’s activities and its role in developing the blueberry sector in Ukraine. He also called on berry farms growing blueberries to join the Association: “As a farming enterprise that has gone a long way from its foundation to becoming one of the leading exporters, we established the Association ‘Producers of Blueberries of Ukraine’ on February 14, 2025. As of today, the association includes 40 members, with five more expected to join in January, bringing together over 1,700 hectares of blueberries. The producers and founders of the association have an average of 10 years of industry experience. The main goal of the association is to develop the blueberry sector both in Ukraine and in international markets. The association was created by producers for producers, as Ukrainian berries have strong competitive advantages and should occupy leading positions in the global market.”

The Ukrainian Berry Market: Development Pathways

During the presentation “Trends of the Ukrainian Berry Market. Development Pathways,” Liliana Dmytriieva, Founder and Director of the Brusvyana nursery, noted: “Over 20 years of work in nursery production and berry growing, we can see that 2025 became an extremely challenging year due to climate-related crop losses, labor shortages, and energy disruptions. At the same time, farms have optimized their operations, begun expanding planted areas, and are transitioning to tunnel production, which represents the future of the fresh export market. Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and niche crops remain key trends, while successful exports require state support, varietal standardization, and the development of the cold chain.”

Berry Market Analytics and Real Data: Company ARTYKA Bio Launches a Competition

Serhii Sukhyna, representative of the Artyka brand and ARTYKA Bio LLC, presented a new analytical competition for berry sector participants aimed at collecting forecasts and actual data on procurement prices for the 2026 season for primocane raspberries, garden strawberries, sour cherries purchased from households, cultivated sour cherries, and black currants.

It was announced that the most accurate participants among legal entities and individual entrepreneurs will receive cash prizes of UAH 2,000, 3,000, and 4,000, and the competition results will be summarized and published at the SmartBerry industry conference in December 2026.

Practical Experience and Expert Presentations

Among the wide range of conference topics, presentations based on real practical experience hold a special place. A vivid and engaging presentation was delivered by Iryna Barzo, Founder of “The Berry Side of Life,” who shared continuous business development strategies that help minimize seasonality and ensure stable growth in the berry sector.

Jeremy Darby, an independent agronomy consultant from the United Kingdom, presented intensive blueberry production systems, demonstrated optimal plantation layouts, and shared modern approaches to substrate selection and planting technologies.

In turn, Oleksandr Yareschenko, Researcher at the Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, PhD in Agricultural Sciences, analyzed the prospects for growing sea buckthorn, haskap (honeyberry), rosehip, alpine strawberry, and currants, presented a recommended crop assortment, and shared his assessment of the current market situation and trends.

Iryna Kobrynets, agronomy consultant, spoke about modern approaches and practical solutions for protecting blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries from adverse climatic conditions and new challenges in berry production.

Meanwhile, Anna Lutsko, an international berry production consultant, having many years of experience working with dozens of Ukrainian and international farms, explained the nuances of irrigation optimization for consistently high yields and berry quality. She paid particular attention to the role of soil structure, water balance, and irrigation technologies, including an in-depth look at substrates as effective soil alternatives.

Farmers’ Experience

Vladyslav Yaremchuk, Agronomist at Ivanivska Kalyna Farm, shared insights into fruit production and his impressions of the conference: “We grow pears on 14 hectares and strawberries on 3 hectares. Our pear varieties include Noiabrska, Yablunivska, and Olesia. As for strawberries, we work with a wide variety — this allows us not only to offer diversity to the market but also to determine which varieties are best suited for future plantings. Our pear orchards are trained on trellises and protected by anti-hail nets, while strawberries are grown in open fields on raised beds. At the conference, we paid attention to new fertilizers and products that could be used, as well as possible methods of protection against spring frosts. One of the main factors affecting yields is frost and climate change — they can destroy up to 50% of the crop. For our farm, the previous season was difficult, as frost significantly damaged the harvest and we obtained less than expected. However, this can be taken into account and prepared for in the coming year. Overall, I like this event format organized by the media group Technologies and Innovations. You can explore the exhibition, see products from various manufacturers, and listen to speakers, which provides valuable information for practical work.”

Technologies and Innovations in Berry Production

As part of the conference program, participants gained access to a comprehensive set of practical technological solutions from experts of EFT GROUP, the Main Technological Partner of the conference.

An online presentation was delivered by Yeva Bezkorovaina, representative of Weremczuk Agro (Poland) and exclusive representative of Biochem Agro in Ukraine (part of EFT GROUP), who presented modern harvesters designed for berry crops. She explained how to choose the right technology for specific plantation conditions and how to integrate it into existing farm infrastructure.

Artur Sizhuk, Berry Crops Technologist at Biochem Agro (EFT GROUP), outlined key problems and challenges faced by berry producers and shared real-life farm case studies from the company’s practice.

Oleksandra Volovyk, Business Development Manager at xFarm (EFT GROUP), spoke about how modern technologies and artificial intelligence are transforming approaches to orchard and berry farm management.

Mark Kuzminskyi, representative of EFT GROUP, focused on modern technologies for combating critical spring frosts, which are already being actively implemented in European and Ukrainian farms: We presented anti-frost equipment, as this season clearly demonstrated how critical the issue of spring frosts is. We decided to remind producers of the solutions our company offers. We supply so-called frost blowers — tractor-mounted devices that operate effectively down to –3°C and can cover areas from 3 to 5 hectares. This season provided an important observation: the equipment works best when trees or bushes already have green mass. Heated air needs to ‘cling’ to the leaf surface. In early spring, when trees are still completely bare, efficiency decreases — this has been confirmed by practical experience. One more frost protection method is wind machines — large stationary or mobile units. In Ukraine, this segment is only beginning to develop, and currently, to my knowledge, there is only one operational installation. It is a capital-intensive project, but with proper calculations, it is entirely justified and can pay off in just one season. At the conference, we met many long-standing partners as well as new participants, so both my colleagues and I were very satisfied with the high level of the event.”

Irrigation Management and Climate Protection

Denys Rudychev, Technical Specialist at Profpolyv and Profagrobud, spoke about irrigation management in orchards, berry plantations, and greenhouse complexes, as well as moisture retention, irrigation data collection, and data analysis.

One of the presentations focused on climate protection for berries: tunnel plastic greenhouses as a strategic investment for the 2025 season. This topic was presented by Oleh Didukh, Official Representative of Haygrove LTD.

How to create added value in the fruit and berry business was addressed by Viktor Zaporozhets, Head of the Commercial Department at INSORTEX, who presented modern INSORTEX equipment and shared practical approaches and tools that help producers increase the value of their products.

Participants also learned about effective solutions for professional berry production, including modern greenhouses, tunnels, and protected-ground technologies that improve productivity and crop quality, from Vladyslav Razkevych, Head of Evkalipt P, the official dealer of Progress Engineering (Poland).

Valentyna Dmytrenko, Manager at Plastmodern LLC, presented the company’s products and emphasized the value of participating in industry conferences: “Our company manufactures mulching film, trays, drip tape, greenhouse and tunnel films. We supply farmers with high-quality materials to achieve high yields. We are currently planning to launch production of black-and-white mulching film for berry crops: the black layer will promote faster root system development, while the white layer will protect berries from overheating during hot periods. Conferences organized by the media group Technologies and Innovations are extremely useful for us. Both beginners and experienced farmers receive valuable information here — everyone finds new solutions. Participants present their own innovations and actively exchange experience, which is especially valuable for the industry. We often recommend these events to those who are just starting in berry production. At the conferences, one can obtain a full range of knowledge: from seedling selection and soil preparation to storage, freezing, and marketing of products. Business tours also provide an opportunity to see practical processes directly on farms. I wish you further prosperity and development. Hold more such events — you professionally cover all topics and provide participants with truly useful experience.”

Weather-Extreme Protection Technologies

Yurii Chemerys, Director of Landecotech LLC, told us about equipment designed to protect crops from weather extremes — from frost to heat.

Serhii Zmiichuk, CEO of Frutek LLC, explained how a combination of tunnels, varieties, and substrates makes it possible to effectively extend the berry production season.

During the presentation by Oleksandr Pysariev, Head of Direction at Chystyi Svit – Trade, conference participants were introduced to modern approaches and equipment for protecting plants from spring (radiation) frosts, as well as technological solutions that help preserve crops and minimize risks for berry and orchard plantations during adverse weather conditions.

Plant Protection and Biological Products

Ihor Tarushkin, Marketing Manager for Specialty Crop Protection Products at Bayer, presented the new Verango Prime nematicide to conference participants. In his presentation, he discussed the product’s mode of action and practical aspects of its application to garden strawberries in 2025.

Volodymyr Silenko, Head of the Horticulture and Vegetable Technology Support Division at BTU Biotechnological Company, focused on practical approaches to using biological products in berry production. The latest biofungicide Lalstop G46 was the topic of a presentation highlighting its potential for sustainable control of fungal diseases affecting both the aboveground parts and root systems of plants.

Experience with the product was shared by Ihor Chaika, Commercial Director of Agritema LLC.

During the presentation by Volodymyr Voievodin, expert at the company BASF, the main challenges faced by blueberry producers under current conditions were discussed, along with the introduction of the product Revysion and its role in protecting berry plantations.

Planting Material and Company Experience

Volodymyr Shcherbina, Head of Sales at Dekoplant LLC (Vinnytsia), emphasized the importance of participating in industry events: “Our company specializes in planting material for open-field cultivation: roses, berry bushes, fruit trees, conifers, and ornamental plants. We were delighted to attend our favorite conference and highly appreciate the work of the media group Technologies and Innovations. Today, we are presenting our strawberry segment — modern Dutch varieties — as well as planting material for the professional market: raspberries and black currants. The company has been operating since 2003, and from the very first days, we have been familiar with the media group and have consistently participated in their events. It is valuable for us to meet colleagues and partners with whom we have long-term cooperation. Despite wartime conditions, the market continues to function, although less actively — but Ukrainian producers do not give up. We are always happy to communicate with new clients, provide guidance, supply high-quality planting material, and remain open to new partnerships.”

Congress “The Power of Cold: Effective Solutions for Business”

In the second half of the day, a parallel event took place in another hall — the Congress “The Power of Cold: Effective Solutions for Business.” The 5th Congress on Freezing and Cold Logistics reflected a strategic focus on practical tools for increasing efficiency, optimizing production and logistics processes, and implementing modern cooling and freezing technologies.

As part of the Congress, a discussion panel titled “Cold Is the New Currency of the Berry Business” was held, moderated by Serhii Sukhyna, Director of ARTYKA Bio. During the panel, experts discussed the importance of modern cold solutions as a critical resource for producers, processors, and exporters of berry products.

The discussion participants included representatives of companies specializing in fruit and berry freezing, heads of berry farms, and representatives of logistics companies and hubs, including ARTYKA Bio LLC, Yarofrut Farm, Halychanka brand (TM Galfrost), and Krzysztof Shtyk (Poland) as an invited expert.

Freezing Systems and Practical Recommendations

During his presentation, Oleksandr Sheiko, Director of Four Elements LLC, shared key recommendations on the proper installation of berry freezing systems, emphasizing the importance of precise design and strict compliance with technological requirements. He also drew attention to the most common mistakes made by producers.

Regenerative Cultivation

In an online presentation, Frederika Fogel, Owner of Rosetta Agro, and Valerii Liashynskyi, Director of the company, spoke about the principles of regenerative strawberry cultivation, which aims to improve soil health and increase yield stability.

Throughout the SmartBerry conference, participants also had the opportunity to visit a large-scale exhibition of technologies and equipment for berry production (tools, crop protection products, fertilizers, machinery, etc.), featuring more than fifty exhibition stands.

Companies Participating in the Technology and Equipment Exhibition

Seedling production and sales:

De Kemp Ukraine, Frutek, Novosad, Malyn Plant, Dekoplant, Persha Hrybna, Shipshyna.

Irrigation and watering systems:

Profpolyv, Aquatech, Vodovid.

Equipment for freezing, processing, sorting, packaging, and storage:

Insolar-Kholod, Insortex, Four Elements, Klioma Service, Sorter-Pack, Kholod-Engineering, Tolsma, Rosana, UNI-MASZ H.M., VEGA Bartosz Juszczuk / UNI-MASZ H.M. Juszczuk Sp. j., Ralkotekhnik, Chystyi Svit, Binfield, MEGA, Spanrise, MAS Systems, Smart Agro, Van Dijk, Frios, Gulin, Progress Engineering, Alfainterplast, Orient Way LLC, Agromel.

Crop protection and plant nutrition:

Agritema, Rodonit Agro, Agrochelate Ukraine, BASF, Bayer, BTU, Biochem Agro, Solare.

Agrotechnologies, engineering solutions, greenhouses, and coverings:

Eucalyptus, Haygrove, Landecotech, Yasno.

Horticultural materials:

CERES Ltd Ukraine.

Beverage Tasting Exhibition

A beverage tasting exhibition also took place. The Main Wine Partner of the conference, the Bessarabian company Frumushika-Nova Family Winery, presented its wines “Odessa Black,” “Chardonnay” Neton EGG, and “Citronniy Magaracha.”

The Main Beer Partner, Bohdanivska Brewery, treated participants throughout the day to a special berry beer brewed specifically for the conference, along with other new products. Berry-, fruit-, and even vegetable-based distillates, liqueurs, and infusions were presented by Strond Distillery, CraftSAD, and Yahidna Poliana Farm.

Anniversary Lottery

To mark its 15th anniversary, the media group “Technologies and Innovations” organized a festive partner lottery at the end of the day. The organizers expressed their sincere gratitude to the companies that provided products and gifts for the lottery:

Pakharenko & Partners, Frutek, Four Elements, Yasno, Aquatech, Valentina, Plastmodern, Binfield, Agreen, Bahco, Klioma, Brusniava, Serhii Ostapets, Eucalyptus, Progress, Dekoplant, Fruit Garden AT, Oleh Pustovoit Farm, Ihor Chechitko (GOODFARM-UA), Solare Ukraine, Alfainterplast, Shipshyna.

T&I Berry&Fruit Academy and Business Tour

On December 12, two key conference events took place. The first was the launch of a permanent educational platform for producers and processors of berries, fruits, and nuts — the T&I Berry&Fruit Academy, featuring leading Ukrainian and international experts.

Experienced international consultants and practitioners Anna Lutsko, Iryna Kobrynets, and Jeremy Darby were invited as Academy experts. The training focused on the three most popular berries worldwide — garden strawberry, raspberry, and high-bush blueberry — enabling participants to determine which business model suits them best: one that delivers quick returns or one that ensures stable long-term development.

The Academy was attended by both beginner berry growers and experienced agronomists and farm managers seeking a deep understanding of all stages of the production process. In their 90-minute sessions, the experts aimed to provide maximum practical value on the most critical aspects of cultivation, harvesting, and subsequent product marketing.

The next session of the Berry&Fruit Academy will take place on February 25 in Ternopil, on the eve of the International Scientific and Practical Conference HortiTech Ukraine 2026: Horticulture, Vegetables, Berries.

The second major highlight of December 12 was a business tour to farming enterprises in the Kyiv region: “Fruktovyy Sad AT”, a modern blueberry nursery with plants grown both in tunnels and in open fields, and “Wowberry”, an organic blueberry farm equipped with facilities for storage, cooling, sorting, and packaging of produce.

During the business tour at “Fruktovyy Sad AT”, a presentation titled “Technological Solutions to Increase Yields by Biochem Agro” was held. Within this presentation, participants were introduced to modern approaches aimed at increasing productivity and improving the quality of cultivated crops. The Haygrove tunnel systems were also showcased, demonstrating their advantages in protecting plantations, extending the growing season, and stabilizing yields.

The “Technologies & Innovations” Media Group is entering the new year 2026 with an updated development strategy — the creation of the digital platform T&I Agro Hub.

February 25–26–27 — HortiTech Ukraine 2026:

Horticulture, vegetables, berries.

From the field and greenhouse to the market — technologies, export, processing.

April 1–2–3 — Beer & Craft Drink Forum 2026:

Beer. Beverages. Technologies.

June 10–11–12 — Fruit & Nut Business Forum 2026:

Stone fruits and nuts.

From orchard to market — technologies, processing, export.