Freezing temperatures ravage Ukraine’s berry crops for a second consecutive year, sending fruit prices soaring by 18% while farmers struggle to rebuild amidst ongoing conflict.
Key Takeaways
- Ukrainian berry grower Oleksandr Slastin was forced to relocate his entire operation from Kharkiv to Zhytomyr region due to the ongoing military conflict, highlighting the double crisis facing farmers.
- Freezing temperatures have devastated strawberry and raspberry production for the second consecutive year, with some farmers reporting total crop destruction after just “two minutes of hail.”
- Fruit prices have skyrocketed with strawberries reaching 180 UAH/kg and cherries 520 UAH/kg, contributing to an annual inflation rate approaching 16%.
- The National Bank of Ukraine warns that while temporary price relief may come during peak harvest, food inflation could persist into late 2025, especially with increased reliance on imports.
Ukrainian Berry Growers Face Double Crisis
“Ukrainian berry farmers are confronting a devastating one-two punch as freezing temperatures have damaged strawberry and raspberry crops for the second year running while many simultaneously struggle to recover from conflict-related displacement,” said Oleksandr Slastin, a veteran berry grower with over 25 years of experience, exemplifies this challenge after being forced to relocate his entire operation from the Kharkiv region to the Malynska community in Zhytomyr in April 2022 due to the military situation. His story represents thousands of Ukrainian agricultural entrepreneurs attempting to maintain production despite unprecedented difficulties.
Despite the adversity, Slastin’s Malyn Plant enterprise has established approximately 70 hectares of berry cultivation, with 25 hectares dedicated specifically to strawberries while also developing a substantial raspberry plantation. The relocation was strategic, considering both agricultural viability and safety concerns. The repeated weather catastrophes now threatening these new operations highlight the precarious position of Ukraine’s agricultural sector, which faces both man-made and natural disasters simultaneously. Severe frosts following periods of growth have proven particularly damaging to tender berry crops.
Catastrophic Weather Devastates Crops
The pattern of unseasonal weather has wreaked havoc on Ukraine’s agricultural production across multiple regions. Western and northern areas have experienced a destructive combination of frost, heavy rainfall, and devastating hail during critical May and June growing periods. The damage extends well beyond berries to include cherries, stone fruits, and vegetable seedlings, creating widespread agricultural losses. “Roads temporarily transformed into rivers of mud and ice during the worst of these weather events, illustrating the extreme nature of these conditions,” according to the Malynska community.
“This is probably the love of life. When you go out to the plantation and see these beautiful, tasty berries, it’s something magical. Three years ago, we started working in the Malyn community. Here, the conditions suited us best – both soil-climatic and relatively safe region. Also, the friendly reception of us as young beginners in Zhytomyr region played an important role. Today, you can already see how our enterprise has grown,” said Oleksandr Slastin, Berry Grower
The devastation has been swift and merciless for many producers. As one farmer from western Ukraine succinctly stated, “Two minutes of hail was enough to destroy everything.” This stark reality reveals how quickly years of agricultural investment can be wiped out by increasingly erratic weather patterns. These incidents raise serious questions about the long-term viability of certain crops in Ukraine’s changing climate, especially as farmers lack adequate resources for protective measures like hail nets or frost protection systems due to the ongoing economic challenges related to the conflict.
Economic Impact and Inflation Concerns
The agricultural devastation has triggered immediate economic consequences for Ukrainian consumers. Prices for seasonal produce have skyrocketed, with strawberries now commanding up to 180 UAH/kg, cherries reaching an astonishing 520 UAH/kg, and even staples like young potatoes hovering around 52 UAH/kg. These dramatic price increases have contributed significantly to Ukraine’s overall inflation, with fruit prices alone rising by 18% in May and helping push the annual inflation rate to nearly 16%. This inflation spike hits Ukrainian families already struggling with wartime economic pressures.
The National Bank of Ukraine has identified multiple factors driving this agricultural inflation crisis, including the extensive weather-related crop damage, delayed harvests, and strong export demand that diverts produce from domestic markets. While some temporary price relief may occur during peak harvest months when surviving crops reach the market, experts predict that food inflation could persist well into late 2025. The situation appears particularly precarious as Ukraine may need to increase reliance on imported produce during fall and winter months, potentially exacerbating inflation through higher-priced foreign goods.
