In Ukraine, an increase in apple prices is expected in 2025 due to producers shifting their focus to exports. It has become unprofitable for fruit producers to sell their products solely in the domestic market, leading more companies to seek buyers abroad. The higher export price also affects the pricing of apples for Ukrainian consumers.
This is reported by Finway
Impact of Exports on the Domestic Market
According to Taras Bashtannyk, president of the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association, the current export price of apples is about 40 hryvnias per kilogram. This means that the price of products in the domestic market cannot be significantly lower; otherwise, sales become economically unviable for orchardists.
“If the export price is, say, 40 hryvnias per kilogram, then prices in the domestic market cannot be 20. Otherwise, what is the point of such a business?” – explains Bashtannyk the logic of orchardists.
The expert predicts that this year the price of apples for the average consumer will range from 30 to 35 hryvnias per kilogram, and in some cases, it may even reach 40 hryvnias. At the same time, according to the expert, one should not expect a return to symbolic prices of 5 hryvnias per kilogram, as was the case before. Meanwhile, the likelihood of prices rising to 70 or 100 hryvnias per kilogram, as has happened in the past, is absent.
Quality and Market Structure
The apple market is becoming increasingly professional: only systematic producers remain, capable of ensuring stable volumes and high product quality. With these players entering foreign markets, the supply of apples within the country decreases, which also supports high price levels. At the same time, consumers can expect an improvement in fruit quality, as competition in export markets demands adherence to the best growing and storage standards.
Although this year’s apple harvest has suffered from unfavorable weather conditions, the losses have been smaller than last year. This will also affect the final price of the products, but a market shortage is not expected.