Amid the ongoing war and climate change, Ukraine's fruit and berry sector is undergoing significant transformation, with new crops like alpine strawberries, actinidia (hardy kiwi), and hazelnuts emerging in regions previously considered unsuitable for such cultivation.
Volodymyr Pechko, head of the Association of Gardeners, Winegrowers and Winemakers of Ukraine, notes that while the war has disrupted some agricultural operations, it is climate change that is driving most of the shifts in crop geography. Traditional crops like cherries, blackberries, and grapes are now being planted in northern and western regions such as Vinnytsia, while winemaking, once concentrated in the south, is expanding nationwide.
Niche crops are also gaining ground. Alpine strawberries have recently begun to be cultivated commercially, though only around 15–20 hectares are currently harvested at an industrial level. Sea buckthorn, previously not widely grown, is now used to make teas, jams, and juices. Almonds are being planted in the south of Odesa, though Pechko describes them as a risky investment due to climatic uncertainty.
Greenhouse cultivation has also expanded, particularly for berries, allowing producers to bring early-season fruit to market at premium prices. Hazelnut production is on the rise, with growers using it as a diversification strategy.
Pechko emphasizes that climate change is a double-edged sword. On one hand, milder winters and longer growing seasons have made it easier to cultivate crops like grapes and even actinidia in regions like Kyiv and Odesa. In fact, a plantation in Odesa has become one of Europe's largest producers of actinidia, exporting the fruit internationally.
On the other hand, rising temperatures and water scarcity in southern Ukraine are making crop cultivation more expensive and less predictable. "If you don't irrigate grapes on time, they will dry out," Pechko warns. Spring frosts in April and May are also a growing concern, threatening sensitive fruit crops.
New diseases and invasive weeds are compounding the problem. Syrian cottonwood, an aggressive weed species from North America, has spread rapidly in Ukrainian fields and is resistant to chemical and mechanical removal.
Despite these challenges, Ukraine's horticultural sector is showing resilience through innovation. Farmers are investing in processing to extend shelf life and open new markets. Products like freeze-dried fruits and cold-pressed juices are in high demand, and Pechko notes that many businesses have quickly adapted to meet this demand.
"The trend now is diversification—both in what we grow and how we sell it," says Pechko. "We're not just exporting fresh fruit anymore; we're offering high-value processed products."
Source: UNN