Apple prices: why buying the fruit is more expensive than last year and what factors influence the cost.
The average price of apples in Ukraine today exceeds 30 UAH per kilogram, which is nearly double the price from last year. Furthermore, a decrease in prices is not expected in the near future.
For more details on what influences apple prices and why they have significantly increased, refer to the article by RBK-Ukraine.
What is the price of apples in winter 2025
This year, the traditionally most affordable fruit for Ukrainians is not offering favorable prices during winter. The cost of apples in supermarkets starts from 30 UAH, while some varieties can cost up to 50 UAH per kilogram.
Compared to the previous season, apple prices have almost doubled. According to the Minfin portal, in January 2025, the average price for Ukrainian apples was 31.41 UAH/kg, whereas during the same period last year, it was 19.43 UAH/kg.
As of January 30, 2025, apples in supermarkets were sold at:
In the ATB chain, you can buy grade apples and Gala for 31.95 UAH/kg.
Screenshot from atbmarket.com
In "Silpo," the lowest price for Golden apples is 36 UAH/kg, Aydared – 39 UAH/kg, and Champion – 40 UAH/kg.
Screenshot from silpo.ua
In Novus, Red Chief apples are priced at 29.9 UAH/kg, Champion – 42.99 UAH/kg, and Fuji – 43.99 UAH/kg.
Screenshot from novus.zakaz.ua
Prices for Ukrainian apples at the "Stolichny" market in Kyiv range from 20 to 45 UAH per kilogram. At the Lviv wholesale market "Shuvar," the average price for Florina apples is 26 UAH/kg, Gala – 25.5 UAH/kg, and Renet Simirenko – 32.5 UAH/kg.
Why prices have risen
The increase in apple prices has been driven by several factors. Like most agricultural and garden crops, last year was a poor harvest season for apples. The primary reason was adverse weather conditions. Additionally, rising production costs have impacted pricing.
The head of the marketing department at the "Shuvar" wholesale market, Tatiana Popovich, identified several factors that contributed to the price hike of apples:
- adverse weather conditions during the flowering and fruit-setting periods;
- increased costs for electricity, fuel, and labor;
- decreased apple yield compared to last year.
Moreover, a reduction in yield has also been observed in the European apple market. This has affected exports, as producers are increasingly sending quality products abroad or holding onto them until spring, which influences prices.
Should we expect a decrease in apple prices?
Experts note that apple prices will remain consistently high in the near future, and if frost occurs, prices may spike even further.
Analyst from the Ukrainian Club of Agrarian Business (UCAB) Maxim Hopka commented to RBK-Ukraine that supply and demand affect prices. Over the next 3-4 months, apple prices are unlikely to decrease significantly unless there is a major increase in imports, which is currently low due to sufficient domestic apple supply.
If Ukraine experiences severe frosts, fruit prices may rise as producers will need to cover increased storage costs.
In such a case, if the frosts last from one to three weeks, there could be power supply disruptions, leading producers to seek additional energy sources and incur extra costs, potentially causing apple prices to increase. The UCAB expert forecasts a price rise of 5-10%.
Market representative Tatiana Popovich also emphasizes that apple prices will remain consistently high for the foreseeable future. A price decrease is possible in spring when stocks that have been stored in warehouses become available.
The preparation of this material utilized data from the Minfin portal and websites of Ukrainian supermarket chains, along with comments from UCAB analyst Maxim Hopka and the head of the marketing department at the "Shuvar" market, Tatiana Popovich.