The fruit cultivation sector in Ukraine reports adverse impacts from recent drought and frost conditions. Stone fruits have been most affected, with apricot farms experiencing losses up to 100% in some areas, while cherry crops face 30-50% reductions. According to Denys Marchuk, Deputy Head of the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council, "In some farms, losses are 100%, especially if we are talking about apricots and peaches."
While pears and apples have not escaped unscathed, they show partial damage. Price adjustments are anticipated, with stone fruit prices expected to rise by 30% or more. Marchuk highlighted the limited potential for price stabilization through imports: "I would even like to hope for imports, which could partially balance the price position, but the situation is such that there were frosts almost all over Eastern Europe, and those potential importers who could bring to the territory of Ukraine also lost."
As a reminder, April frosts severely impacted apricots, and peach prices may increase by 20-25% in the upcoming summer. The blueberry and apple harvests have also suffered losses.
Source: UNN
