In Ukraine's Chernivtsi region, apple growers are preparing for the start of the harvest season, which is delayed about two weeks this year due to prolonged spring frosts. At present, only 3–5% of the total crop, mostly early varieties, has been picked. The main harvest peak is expected around September 20–22.
Beyond weather challenges, growers face another pressing issue: labor shortages. Wages average around UAH 1,000 (€23) per full working day, yet even these rates often fail to secure enough staff. Farmers note that the problem has worsened in recent years, making it difficult to secure staff not only for harvesting but also for tree pruning and orchard preparation.
Meanwhile, local producers are investing in storage capacity. The farming enterprise "Gold Romi" (Chernivtsi region) plans to build a cold storage facility for 10,000 tons of apples and pears, expanding from its current 3,000-ton capacity. According to co-owner Oleksandr Mihalatiuk, the company sold the last reserves of the 2024 harvest in mid-May.
Almost the entire 2024 apple crop, as well as pears, was sold through Ukrainian supermarket chains. Exports were minimal, small volumes of apples went to Romania and Greece, while only limited batches of the Conference pear were shipped to Poland and Romania.
Mihalatiuk explained that domestic sales were prioritized because Ukrainian buyers paid prices equal to export offers. Pears in particular remain highly profitable on the local market, with export prices last year ranging from €0.85 to €0.95 per kilogram. Despite the Conference variety being traditionally more valued in EU countries, it was in steady demand among Ukrainian retailers, while other local pear varieties continue to perform even better.
Source: agroportal.ua / agrotimes.ua
