Ukraine returns to net apple exporter status after tough 2024/25 season
Ukraine has regained net exporter status in the apple market, shipping over 22,000 tonnes abroad between July 2025 and April 2026 while imports fell to about 5,500 tonnes. A larger harvest and sharply lower imports drove the turnaround, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Turkey and Sweden as top buyers.
Ukraine swings back to net apple exports
Ukraine has regained its position as a net exporter of apples after a difficult 2024/25 season, according to AgroTimes as cited by 24tv.ua. The shift was driven by higher export volumes and a sharp drop in imports, signalling a gradual recovery for the country's horticulture sector.
Volodymyr Hurzhii, head of the exporting company USPA Fruit, said Ukraine shipped roughly 16,800 tonnes of apples in the 2024/25 season, while imports reached 18,200 tonnes, leaving the country a net importer. Between July 2025 and April 2026 the balance reversed: exports exceeded 22,000 tonnes and imports fell to around 5,500 tonnes.
A bigger harvest behind the turnaround
According to Hurzhii, the key reason for the result was a significantly larger apple harvest compared with the previous year. The increase in supply allowed Ukrainian producers to work more actively on foreign markets while still keeping the domestic market well supplied.
The larger crop has two effects for trade. It lifts the volume available for export, and it reduces the need to bring in foreign fruit to cover domestic demand. Both moved in Ukraine's favour this season, turning a net import gap of about 1,400 tonnes in 2024/25 into a clear export surplus.
Destination markets and buyer profile
The largest buyers of Ukrainian apples remain the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Turkey and Sweden. Ukrainian producers increasingly treat exports not only as a way to secure better prices, but also as a tool to diversify sales markets and reduce commercial risk.
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
- Uzbekistan
- Turkey
- Sweden
Domestic prices stay contained
Despite the pick-up in exports, apples remain available to Ukrainian buyers across a wide price range. Cost depends on the variety, the origin of the fruit and the retail chain. As of early July, popular supermarkets offered apples at varying prices, with domestic seasonal Ukrainian apples remaining the most affordable, while imported and premium varieties cost significantly more.
Analysts cited by 24tv.ua note that the return to exports points to a gradual strengthening of Ukrainian horticulture on international markets. At the same time, a sufficient domestic harvest keeps supply high, helping to avoid a sharp rise in prices for Ukrainian consumers even as shipments abroad increase.
