Fruits in Ukraine to Rise in Price: Bad Weather 'Killed' up to 80% of the Harvest.

Ukraine expects an increase in fruit prices due to harvest losses caused by spring frosts. Apricots and peaches will be particularly in short supply. The chief agronomist of an agricultural enterprise in Odessa, Maxim Boyko, noted that peach prices may rise by 25% compared to last year. Although harvest losses are also observed in farms growing apricots and peaches, the full extent of the damage has not yet been assessed.

Unfortunately, the problems with fruit cultivation due to frosts are not limited to Ukraine. Traditional exporting countries such as the Czech Republic and Serbia are also facing weather issues that complicate the situation in the Ukrainian market.

Farmers are using costly technologies to preserve part of the harvest, which will also affect fruit prices. For instance, they install drip irrigation for tree crowns, light bonfires, and use fans to increase temperatures in orchards. Consequently, fruits are expected to be more expensive this year.

Assessing the condition of other fruit crops will be possible in a few weeks when their flowering begins. Currently, it is still early to discuss the exact losses of already formed fruits.