Despite economic pressure, war, and climate-related challenges, Ukrainian table grape growers continue to position domestic fruit as a competitive alternative to imports, according to EastFruit.
Dmytro Ostapenko, director of Green Technology Ltd, said it is premature to dismiss the country's viticulture sector. "Imports affect price formation – it's a natural element of market competition. But such competition drives Ukrainian growers to improve quality and optimize costs, which ultimately benefits the consumer," he noted.
© EastFruit
Green Technology Ltd has been cultivating and selling table grapes and peaches for five years and supplies major retail chains such as Silpo, Fozzy, Metro, and Novus. Ostapenko pointed out that fruit can reach retail shelves within 24 hours of harvest, providing a freshness advantage.
Market structure and development
Kateryna Zvierieva, Development Director of the Ukrainian Horticulture Association (UHA), said the country's grape market is becoming more structured, with stable suppliers and improved production and logistics technologies. "The further development of this segment will depend on the introduction of modern varieties, protection against agricultural risks, respect for intellectual property rights, and producers' access to post-harvest infrastructure," she explained.
She added that drought, frost, and climate risks mean growers need government support to implement modern protection technologies.
Seedless varieties and intellectual property
Ostapenko highlighted seedless grapes as the global trend. "Among our varieties, we have one seedless type – similar to 'Kishmish Luchistyi.' I believe the future belongs to seedless grapes," he said. He added that access to new American varieties from firms such as Sun World and Bloom Fresh is restricted due to the lack of strong intellectual property protection in Ukraine.
Zvierieva confirmed that intellectual property remains a barrier to sector growth: "Without legal access to new genetics, Ukrainian farmers cannot integrate into global value chains."
Climate impact on harvest
Ostapenko also noted that cooler spring and early summer weather delayed ripening by about two weeks compared to last year. "Grapes are a heat-loving crop, and the sugar content in the berries directly depends on the total accumulated warmth of the season," he said.
Future direction
Zvierieva described Ukrainian grapes as part of an evolving domestic market. "Even during wartime, our producers can supply retailers with stable, high-quality, and fresh products. The next step should be integration into the international breeding ecosystem – with respect for intellectual property and transparent rules of the game. This will open access to new varieties and help Ukrainian grapes become a recognizable European brand," she said.
Source: EastFruit
