Icy blow to the harvest: Ukrainians warned about rising prices for favorite fruits.

Fruit harvest losses in Ukraine have led to price increases

This year's spring frosts have caused significant fruit harvest losses in Ukraine, which will lead to price increases for fruits. According to expert forecasts, prices for fruits and berries may rise by 30% or more.

The head of the All-Ukrainian Agricultural Council, Denis Marchuk, emphasized: 'Indeed, when looking at the context of the problems brought by weather conditions, especially frosts. We are observing certain losses in the stone fruit group, such as apricots and peaches. Losses at some enterprises reach 80-100%, and accordingly, the shortage will lead to price increases.'

According to Marchuk, the prices for apricots, strawberries, peaches, cherries, and sweet cherries will rise the most. The harvest of apples and pears has also suffered, but to a lesser extent. The situation in Podillya is particularly challenging due to the April frosts and low temperatures in May.

The expert noted that vegetables have also suffered from the cold, and the harvest of greenhouse vegetables has already led to price drops. However, issues with open-field vegetables will need to be assessed at the end of May and the beginning of June.

The cold has also affected vegetables, but the exact scale of losses is currently difficult to assess. Marchuk noted: 'I know that in some regions, problems have arisen with early potatoes.'

Night frosts in May have already led to harvest losses of some vegetables in various regions. In Poltava region, cabbage, grapes, strawberries, roses, and radishes have been affected, while raspberries have frozen in Zhytomyr region.

News Analysis

Weather conditions have indeed impacted the harvest of fruits and vegetables in Ukraine, which may lead to price increases. The critical situation in horticulture requires attention and possible measures to support the country's agricultural sector.