In 2025, the price of pears in Ukraine will significantly increase due to substantial crop losses caused by May frosts. According to representatives of the horticultural sector in the Vinnytsia region, farmers are forced to sell their harvest at higher prices due to decreased production volumes and rising costs.
This is reported by Finway
Impact of May Frosts on Pear Harvest
This season, the May frosts have caused serious damage to the fruit orchards in the region. According to the General Director of the “Vinnytsia-Sadvinprom” corporation, Serhiy Boychuk, about 10% of the orchards were destroyed. The chief agronomist of the “Ivanivska Kalyna” farm from the village of Ivaniv in the Khmelnytskyi district, Vadym Rozpotniuk, explained that the spring cold has led to a nearly 40% decrease in yield. In particular, the “Listopadova” variety will yield about 30 tons per hectare, while the “Yablonivska” variety will yield only 1.5 tons per hectare, which is very low for this crop.
“This year we experienced abnormally low temperatures during the flowering period. In terms of harvest, we are looking at a 40% loss. For the varieties, the Listopadova will yield about 30 tons per hectare this year. As for the Yablonivska, one and a half tons per hectare is not a yield. That is a low figure,” said Rozpotniuk.
Rising Production Costs and Expectations for High Prices
Due to unfavorable weather, farmers have been forced to increase spending on plant protection products to save at least part of the harvest. According to Vadym Rozpotniuk’s calculations, the production cost of pears has risen by 30% compared to the previous year. Despite the reduced harvest, agricultural producers are counting on a favorable price due to the shortage of Ukrainian pears in the market. The average farm price this season is expected to be around 70 hryvnias per kilogram, whereas last year it was 50 hryvnias during storage sales.
According to the agronomist, this year’s harvest is already being sold directly from the orchard, indicating high demand and a shortage of domestic products in the market.