Why apples are rising in price and when strawberries will become cheaper: explanations from economists and farmers
19 May 15:11
Ukrainian markets have seen a significant increase in fruit prices, particularly for last year’s apples and the first strawberries of the season. Experts in their comments for "Komersant Ukrainian" explain this by weather conditions, storage problems, and reduced supply.
Apples are getting more expensive due to shortages and difficult storage conditions
Prices for apples, which have been stored since last year, have risen due to several key factors.
Oleg Pendzin, economist:
“You saw what happened in March this year. There will be no apple blossoms, peaches and apricots at all – everything is frozen. And it’s not just here, it’s all over Europe. There will be physically fewer apples, so prices will rise.”
Ivan Tomych, agricultural expert:
“Last year, we put much less apples in storage than usual. In addition, the harvest was poor and of low quality. As a result, there are very few marketable apples in storage, and this is what is shaping the current prices.”
Oleksandr Okhrimenko, economist:
“Apples need to be properly stored in special fruit storage facilities, and there are few such facilities in Ukraine. Storage requires a lot of energy, which is expensive. The longer apples are stored, the more expensive they become.”
Experts agree that the rise in price of apples is objective and expected, especially given the difficult weather conditions in the spring of 2024, which affected this year’s harvest and reduced fruit stocks from the previous year.
Strawberries: why 300 UAH per kg is not the limit, and when to expect a price drop
The first strawberries of the season have already appeared on the markets, but their price is currently 250-300 UAH per kilogram. However, experts assure us that the price will drop in June.
Oleg Pendzin:
“Yes, strawberries will be more expensive than last year, because there are fewer of them physically. But during the season – and this is the first or second decade of June – we expect prices at the level of 140-160 UAH/kg. It all depends on the quality and appearance of the berry. Harvesting from the film was delayed due to frost, so the start of the season was shifted.”
Ivan Tomych:
“One hundred percent it will be cheaper. But due to the long, rainy and frosty spring, the harvest will not be good. Strawberries from the open field have not yet been harvested en masse. When mass harvesting begins, prices will fall, but they will not return to the level of last year.”
Oleksandr Okhrimenko:
“Strawberries are a seasonal berry. Now it is either imported or from early regions – Transcarpathia, Bukovina. When it gets warmer, the price will drop significantly. And then sweet cherries will appear, and this will also bring down the price of strawberries. This is a normal market process.”
What should consumers expect?
Apples will not become cheaper, as stocks are almost exhausted, and the new harvest will be smaller due to spring frosts.
Strawberries – we can expect a significant price reduction in June, but it is unlikely to fall to last year’s level. Mass harvesting will be delayed and the season will be shorter.
Experts advise to keep an eye on the weather conditions, as they remain the main factor in the formation of fruit prices in Ukraine this season.
