EastFruit analysts have observed an uptick in the export prices for Ukrainian apples in the 2024/25 season, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) experiencing a 40-60% increase in the cost of these imports. Similarly, Saudi Arabia, a key market for Ukrainian apples, has seen prices rise by 30-40%. Kuwait and Sweden also reported higher prices for these imports, with Sweden's increase averaging 25% compared to the previous year.
Andriy Yarmak, an economist at the FAO's Investment Centre, attributes the surge in apple prices to a reduced harvest in Ukraine and a broader regional decline in apple production. This trend supports higher prices across all markets, including the Middle East. Yarmak further explains, "Another important reason for the price increase is the continued rise in apple concentrate prices to record levels, which pulls up prices for industrial apples. Thus, the supply of cheap low-quality apples on the fresh market decreases because it is easier and more profitable for producers to sell them to AJC factories, which also contributes to the price bullishness in the fresh produce segment."
Despite the international price increase, many Ukrainian gardeners are focusing on the domestic market, where apple prices are notably high. The wholesale price of apples in Ukraine, even when calculated in US dollars, is at a historical peak, with a 56% increase in hryvnia terms compared to the previous year. With the potential for further price increases in the spring, exports are expected to remain minimal.
Source: East Fruit