Ukrainian late cherry: export potential in Middle Eastern and European markets

30 Jul 2025
2083

The late Ukrainian cherry can be a competitive product in foreign markets.

This is the opinion expressed in an article for the magazine “Horticulture in Ukraine” by Vladyslav Makarenko, co-owner of the “Makosad” farm (Chernivtsi region).

Market strategy

“It makes no sense for us to compete with Spain, Greece, Italy, Turkey, and even Uzbekistan in the early cherry segment,” he writes. “When they are at the stage of late varieties, we start harvesting the early ones, which are inferior in terms of organoleptic quality and size.

Early varieties have a short growing season and cannot reach the sizes and yields of late varieties. Instead, when, for example, the cherry season in Turkey is completely over, we are still harvesting late varieties, thus avoiding direct competition.

In principle, Germans and Poles operate according to the same scheme.”

Demand in foreign markets

“In the Middle East, cherries are in high demand,” Makarenko points out. “In Dubai, for instance, they are found on shelves all year round.

When production from the Southern Hemisphere ends in spring, from March onwards, supplies start arriving from greenhouses in Spain, Morocco, and other countries.”

“It is precisely our Middle Eastern customers who suggest that late cherry varieties represent a good niche for us,” concludes the farmer.

Text and image source: agrotimes.ua


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Low-cost dendrometers for monitoring plant growth and water status

Tech management

31 Jul 2026

An open-source, low-cost dendrometer system tracks trunk growth, water stress and irrigation needs in apple, sour cherry and peach orchards. Built on Arduino, it supports precise, sustainable water management and makes plant monitoring more accessible at commercial scale.

Sour cherry in Romania: genetic resources valorization as foundation for new cultivars

Breeding

13 May 2025

Romania enhances sour cherry genetic resources by developing innovative, disease-resistant varieties highly suitable for fresh markets. A successful and sustainable fruit-growing model rooted in biodiversity, varietal selection, and advanced biotechnology applications.

In evidenza

Mineral nitrogen in soil: apple and sweet cherry show different dynamics

Tech management

09 Oct 2026

A German study compares mineral nitrogen in apple and sweet cherry orchard soils. Nitrate accounts for 83% in apple orchards, while ammonium reaches 58% in cherry orchards. The findings highlight crop-specific soil interactions and implications for nitrogen fertilization.

From the Premier League to cycling, everyone’s mad about cherry juice. An expert explains why

Health

09 Oct 2026

Cherry juice is gaining popularity among footballers and cyclists for its potential muscle recovery benefits. Rich in anthocyanins and polyphenols, research suggests it may help regulate inflammation and oxidative stress after intense exercise, supporting athletic recovery.

Tag Popolari