At the beginning of 2025, the Ukrainian fruit and vegetable market continues to demonstrate a mixed picture of price changes. Most types of vegetables and fruits have become more expensive, but there were also items whose prices have decreased. This situation reflects a certain stabilization in the market, because the overall level of price growth corresponds to annual inflation.

Price increase of cabbage, carrots and apples

One of the leaders in terms of price growth rates were vegetables, in particular cabbage and carrots. Prices for cabbage increased threefold during the year, which is explained by a decrease in production volumes and poor harvest quality. Carrots also increased in price almost 2.6 times, reaching a wholesale price of 26 UAH/kg at the beginning of January 2025.

As for apples, their cost increased by an average of 79%, and at the beginning of the year they are sold wholesale at 25-28 UAH/kg. Premium quality apples can cost significantly more. As reported on the "Minfin" portal, the average price of apples on the market as of January 7 was 34.63 UAH/kg, and in supermarket chains it varies from 33.99 UAH/kg in Novus to 35.26 UAH/kg in Metro.

Reasons for the increase in prices for apples and pears

FAO economist Andriy Yarmak explains the sharp increase in the price of apples in all European countries due to adverse climatic conditions, which caused large crop losses. In addition, high prices for apple concentrate contribute to the increase in the cost of not only fresh apples, but also products made from them, which reduces the availability of cheap apples on the market. A similar situation has developed with pears, the price of which has increased by 70%.

Rising prices for citrus fruits and other vegetables

Tangerines have also risen in price no less significantly. The cost of this product has become one of the main reasons for the increase in prices in the fruit sector. Sweet peppers and grapes also rose significantly in price — their prices increased by 20%, and potatoes by 30%.

Stability and decrease in prices for other products

Unlike the above categories, prices for some vegetables remained unchanged. In particular, the cost of onions and greenhouse tomatoes did not change over the year. Greenhouse cucumbers also fell by 5%, and wholesale prices for bananas decreased the most — by 8%.

Conclusions

Thus, in the vegetable and fruit market in Ukraine in 2024, there was a significant increase in the price of some products, in particular cabbage, carrots, apples and pears. However, there are also products that became cheaper or the price for which remained stable. Changes in prices are due to many factors, such as climatic conditions, fluctuations in raw material prices and changes in demand.