Apples will no longer be a cheap and accessible fruit for most Ukrainians, as the domestic market continues to adapt to structural changes driven by exports and professionalization.
According to Taras Bashtannik, President of the Ukrainian Horticultural Association, the days of extremely low prices are over.
"Apples this year will cost around 30–40 hryvnias (€0.70–€0.95) per kilo. Not 70 or 100 hryvnias as it was recently. But they will also never be 5 hryvnias again. And for Ukrainian producers, this is very good."
He noted that the market is now filtering out occasional and short-term players, leaving mainly professional growers.
"The market limits situational players. Only professional, systematic players remain. More and more of them are entering exports, which means they sell fewer apples domestically. This helps maintain balance, avoiding overproduction or surplus supply on the local market."
Exports play an increasingly important role. Even during the war, Ukrainian growers have managed to expand shipments abroad. Export prices directly affect local pricing.
"If the export price is, say, 40 hryvnias per kilo, then prices on the domestic market cannot be 20. Otherwise, what is the point of such a business?"
Despite some crop losses, this season's situation is more favorable compared to last year. Apples are available both for local consumers and for export. At the same time, new plantings are being established thanks to government and donor programs.
"Unfortunately, there are losses this year, but they are much smaller than last year. The season continues, demand is there, and there are apples for export. Thanks to grant programs, about 1,800 hectares of apple orchards were planted in the past three years. Mostly in central and western regions, but growers in all areas are trying to expand."
Source: www.seeds.org.ua