Information for fruit and vegetables business in CIS
Ukrainian grape production down by 19%
The Association of Vinegrowers and Winemakers of Ukraine expects Ukrainian grape production (excl. Crimea) to total 351,800 tons in 2015, a decrease of 19% year-on-year.
Odessa Oblast is still the leading grape growing region in Ukraine with production estimated at 212,100 tons. Production in Mykolaiv Oblast will total 48,500 tons, growers from Kherson Oblast are expected to harvest 36,000 tons of grapes, and grape production volumes in Zakarpattia Oblast will amount to 22,700 tons.
A decrease in production is connected with spring frosts as well as growers' lack of funds for full-scale field works.
According to Association's data, the Ukrainian grape sector is currently characterized by aggravated negative trends: growers do not lay out new plantations and grub already available ones.
«We keep on insisting on necessity to resume state grape sector support program. Otherwise, the industry will reach its point of no return. It is very easy to lose raw produce sources. However, they will take years and millions to be renewed», said Mr. Sergey Mikhaylechko, Director at the Association of Vinegrowers and Winemakers of Ukraine.