In 2025, the fruit harvest in Ukraine is expected to reach approximately 60% of the figures observed before the onset of full-scale war. As industry experts note, the occupancy of fruit storage facilities currently does not exceed 50%, which affects the pricing policy in the fruit market. Consumers should not expect a return to the low prices characteristic of the period before 2022.
This is reported by Business • Media
Reasons for the Decrease in Harvest and Rising Prices
Before the onset of Russia’s full-scale aggression, Ukraine had a robust industrial horticulture system with high yields and modern storage technologies. However, after the seizure of part of the territories and the mass destruction of fruit storage facilities and horticultural farms in 2022, production volumes significantly decreased. The cost of energy resources and the shortage of skilled workers have also contributed to rising prices. In 2022, enterprises managed to harvest only about 30% of the grown crop, while in 2024, this figure increased to 60%.
Preservation of Capacities and Industry Prospects
At the beginning of the war, the association of industry participants had storage facilities for 110–120 thousand tons of fruit, but this figure has now decreased to 60% of the pre-war level. Despite the challenges, experts are confident that in the coming years, the processing industry in Ukraine will actively develop, allowing for increased added value of fruit products and strengthening the positions of Ukrainian producers in the market.
“The fruit collection level in the 2025 season is about 60% compared to the pre-war period, and fruit storage facilities are 50% occupied, so consumers should not expect low fruit prices that were prevalent before 2022,” said Taras Minko, head of the association ‘UkrSadProm’.