Blackcurrant remains one of the most promising niche crops for Ukrainian farmers, especially given its high export potential and the possibility of mechanized harvesting. This assessment was given by Oleksandr Yareshchenko, a leading researcher at the Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, EastFruit reports.

According to the expert, the crop allows you to work effectively even in a situation of acute labor shortage, because the entire harvesting process can be mechanized. In addition to berries, currant buds, which cost about 2.5 thousand hryvnias per kilogram, and fresh leaves also have market value, which open up additional monetization channels for producers.

Thus, blackcurrant can become a profitable crop not only for the fresh market or processing, but also as a multifunctional crop with several sources of income. This makes it especially attractive for investors and farmers looking for alternative niche crops with high profitability.

The expert also drew attention to the cyclical nature of blackcurrant prices. Long-term observations show that prices for the berry change approximately once every 12 years. After the peak of 2012–2013 and the subsequent decline, the industry is again demonstrating high profitability.

According to Yareshchenko, the period 2025–2026 will be characterized by the highest prices for blackcurrant. However, the next stage of planned price reduction in the market is expected to begin in 2027, which should be taken into account when planning investments and harvest.

At the same time, the crop has certain limitations. The southern regions of Ukraine are not optimal for growing blackcurrant due to its insufficient adaptation to the arid climate. This can make it difficult to obtain a stable and full harvest in these areas, even under favorable market conditions.

Thus, blackcurrant remains a strategically interesting crop for Ukrainian farmers, but its cultivation requires taking into account regional characteristics and market cyclicality.