Strawberry prices in Ukraine could plummet: an expert explains when to expect prices to drop
11 May 13:02
FORECAST
Strawberry prices this year have risen by approximately 30% compared to last year. The domestic strawberry season has not yet begun in the markets; currently, berries grown and imported from Zakarpattia and Odesa regions are being sold, which is also contributing to the price increase. As of early May 2026, the average price of strawberries in Ukraine is 300–400 hryvnias per kilogram. At the same time, experts predict that prices may begin to fall in the near future. Thiswas stated by agricultural market expert and EastFruit Weekly Ukraine project coordinator Oleksandr Khorev in an exclusive comment to "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to him, the current price of strawberries is significantly higher than seasonal averages, even though this year’s harvest is not particularly bountiful. The reason is that greenhouse-grown produce currently dominates the market, and it is traditionally more expensive due to limited production volumes.
“In our opinion, prices should drop in the very near future. The current level differs from what is typical during the season,” the expert noted.
At the same time, he emphasized that strawberries are already actively blooming in open-field farms, which means that the mass harvest season is approaching. According to Oleksandr Khorev, it is precisely the arrival of open-field strawberries on the market that will be the main factor driving prices down.
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“Berries will become more affordable only after the first large-scale harvest of berries from open-field farms,” he explained.
Currently, consumers are buying mainly greenhouse-grown produce, which has a higher cost of production and is in shorter supply.
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The expert also emphasized that weather will play a key role in shaping prices this season. The rate at which berries ripen directly depends on the number of sunny days and air temperature, particularly at night. If stable, warm, and sunny weather sets in soon, a massive influx of strawberries onto the market could begin very quickly.
“If sunny, warm weather sets in, berries will hit the market in large quantities very soon, and prices will likely fall gradually, perhaps even rapidly,” Khorev predicts.
However, a significant drop in prices compared to last year should not be expected. According to the expert, producers are not reporting a significant increase in the area or volume of commercial strawberry cultivation. Therefore, even under favorable weather conditions, prices may only return to last season’s levels but are unlikely to be significantly lower.
It should be noted that last year, average strawberry prices during the season ranged from 80–100 UAH/kg for wholesale purchases to 130–150 UAH/kg in retail.
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