The Makosad farming enterprise, located in Ukraine's Chernivtsi region, has built a sweet cherry sorting facility and is considering investing in sorting lines to expand operations. Co-owner Vladyslav Makarenko shared the update in an article for the Ukrainian horticultural journal.
Currently, Makosad cultivates five hectares of sweet cherry orchards, yielding around 60–70 tonnes of high-quality produce annually. According to Makarenko, the volume is not yet sufficient to justify the high investment in automated sorting equipment. "Standard yields of quality sweet cherries are around 10–12 tonnes per hectare, so with current output, a full-scale sorting line is not yet practical," he noted.
However, expansion plans are underway. If the company's young orchards reach at least 50% of their productive potential by 2027–2028, harvests could increase to 150–170 tonnes per year. This would make it economically viable to install a hydrocooler and automated sorting line, key components for entering export markets and targeting Ukraine's premium retail sector.
Makarenko says the sweet cherry segment has become a strategic focus for the company, not only for its market potential, but also for the challenge it presents. "Growing apples is familiar territory, but sweet cherries are far more complex. Not every grower can manage the full production cycle, from orchard to export-ready product," he explained.
Makosad's long-term vision includes developing a vertically integrated sweet cherry business capable of producing premium fruit for both domestic and international markets.
Source: agrotimes.ua
