The 2024 fruit and vegetable season in Ukraine is marked by several significant factors, including an extreme spring in Europe, a labour shortage, and energy supply issues. The early spring led to products entering the market two weeks earlier than usual, lowering initial prices for some fruits. Frosts in May destroyed part of the harvest of fruit and berry crops and potatoes.
A positive factor has been the stabilization of logistics, which has facilitated the increase of vegetable imports. Also, local producers ensured a sufficient supply of borscht vegetable production compared to 2022.
One of the main challenges remains the labour shortage, which could affect production in the second half of the summer. This forces farmers to consider retraining women to work on tractors and other production positions, creating new social challenges. Overall, vegetable production and prices are gradually stabilizing, but farm costs are rising due to the increasing cost of energy.
Overall, prices for fruits and vegetables in Ukraine are gradually stabilizing, but considering the rising costs for farmers due to increased energy prices and labour shortages, prices remain unpredictable.
Source: agrotimes.ua