Raspberries and blackberries production grown in hydroponic tunnels
“We began a major expansion that will bring us to nearly 50 hectares”
A major expansion is underway for a Polish soft fruit producer, as the company is increasing acreage for both raspberries and blackberries, says Oleh Naumenko, CEO and co-owner of Polish soft fruit producer BigRed berry farm: “Our raspberry and blackberry projects have grown very dynamically. In 2023, we started with a pilot project in Poland, about 7.5 hectares of fully hydroponic tunnels near the German border. We tested different varieties of raspberries and blackberries and saw strong market demand. By 2025, we began a major expansion that will eventually bring us to nearly 50 hectares of hydroponic tunnels. We’re adding around 45 hectares of raspberries and 5 hectares of blackberries, bringing us to nearly 60 hectares total.”
In recent years, overall demand for soft fruit has been in the lift according to Naumenko, which has also resulted in better prices for the produce. “We’ve seen steadily growing demand and gradually rising prices. During the summer season in Poland, there are weeks when berries are scarce on the market and competition is low, allowing us to operate profitably.”
Naumenko emphasizes that their high-tech way of growing the raspberries and blackberries is the future for growing premium berries: “Hydroponic systems are easy to manage and very efficient in terms of yield and quality. They let us control climate and irrigation automatically, which is the future of premium berry production. In 2025, we built the core infrastructure and added 12 hectares of tunnels. In 2026, we’ll add another 15 to 20 hectares, and in 2027, another 15 to 20 hectares. We’re also launching a separate project for our own long canes.”
BigRed berry farm isn’t just growing the soft fruit, they’re also growing in the post-harvest process, working together with a well-known player in the industry: “We’re also expanding in terms of logistics, packaging, and sales. We’re working closely with Berry Group, which ensures smooth distribution and good pricing. Together, we’re ready to handle about 1,500 tons of berries for the European market and local sales in Poland,” Naumenko concludes.
For more information:
Oleh Naumenko
BigRed berry farm
Tel: +48 573 490 247 (🇵🇱)
Tel: +38 067 673 22 99 (🇺🇦)
bigredfarmpl@gmail.com
www.bigredfarm.net
