Grape prices rose due to war and drought

In Lviv, at the Shuvar wholesale market, prices for grapes increased significantly over the year: dark grapes rose in price by 30.8%, and white grapes by 37.7%. Today, the average price of dark and white grapes is UAH 85 per kilogram. Last September, dark grapes cost UAH 65 per kilogram, while white grapes cost UAH 53.

According to the press service of the market, the prices of grapes in 2024 increased for several reasons. First, the drought in past years had a negative impact on yields. As a result, the planting of the crop turned out to be weak, which, accordingly, was reflected in the prices. In addition, the war and logistical problems have complicated the production and supply of grapes, especially from the southern regions of Ukraine, such as Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions — the main producers of grapes in the country.

Tetyana Popovych, head of the marketing department of the Shuvar market, noted that at the end of the harvest there is a possibility of a price decrease, but a significant drop should not be expected. Thus, consumers may not expect significant changes in the price policy.

The changes also affected the regions of supply. Due to military actions, supplies from Bessarabia and the south of Ukraine to Lviv have significantly decreased. Instead, the importance of western regions, such as Prykarpattia and Zakarpattia, where grapes continue to be grown and which have great potential for further development, is growing.

Thus, the current situation on the grape market reflects not only the economic, but also the socio-political challenges that the country is facing. Consumers can only hope that conditions for production and supply improve so that prices become more affordable in the future.