This year, Ukrainian pears will be in short supply due to May frosts that destroyed about 10 per cent of the orchards. Farmers in the Vinnytsia region are reporting lower yields but expect higher prices, according to Serhiy Boychuk, CEO of the corporation Vinnytsia-Sadvynprom. In the region, pears are cultivated on 250 hectares.
At the farm Ivanivska Kalyna in Khmilnyk district, harvesting is nearing completion. Chief agronomist Vadym Rozpotnyuk said three varieties are grown on 14 hectares. "This year, we had abnormally low temperatures during the flowering period. Speaking of the harvest, we have a 40% loss. Regarding the varieties, 'November' will be about 30 tons per hectare this year. As for 'Yablunivska,' it will be one and a half tons per hectare – this is not productive. And 'Olesia' will probably be around 5 tons per hectare. This is a low indicator," he said.
Rozpotnyuk noted that production costs increased by 30 per cent compared to last year due to additional inputs required to mitigate adverse weather. "The production cost of this year's pears is 30% higher than last year's. We used many more preparations to combat adverse weather conditions. This resulted in a smaller harvest, but at least some. A harvest that is economically justified."
He added that growers are counting on higher prices. "The market price will show how it reflects. But there are forecasts that the price of pears in Ukraine will be quite high. If last year the average farm price was 50 hryvnias (US$1.23) at the time of storage realization, this year it should be around 70 hryvnias (US$1.72). This year, we are selling the entire harvest from the orchard."
Harvesting is being carried out by a team of 23 workers. Foreman Volodymyr Bohachuk said, "During the day, we collect 15 tons of pears. We harvested 'November,' finished the collection, and today we started on 'Olesia.' Well, and we have a little bit left to finish 'Yablunivska.' Today we have enough people for this work."
Sorting and packing are supervised by forewoman Tetiana Honcharuk. "The weather is crucial. Today we are warmly dressed. And the pears ripen faster, and the collection goes faster. We are collecting the red pear 'Olesia.' We sort all the pears into separate containers. There are containers for the first, second, and third grades," she explained.
Workers emphasized careful manual handling to avoid damage. "Do not pick without a stem. Be careful and gentle," said worker Halyna. According to worker Alla Palysha, "Almost all the first grade is on the tops. The pear is big, beautiful."
Tractor driver Volodymyr Semchyk transports the harvested fruit. "Depending on the yield, I make 5-6 trips a day. I transport the entire harvest to the unloading point," he said.
Harvesting is expected to be completed by the end of the week.
Source: AgroNews
