March 21 2006, 11:58

Apple production increased in 2005 despite of the acreage contraction in Ukraine

According to the information provided by the analytical group of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" weekly journal, the updated statistic numbers of apple production in 2005 in Ukraine proved the prognosis that an average apple yield will grow. In 2005 an average apple yield increased 10%; it was a top record in the history of the independent Ukraine. At the same time, an absolute value of the average yield is still underestimated down to 5.2 tons/ha, to the opinion of the analysts of the Agricultural Marketing Project. According to the data of the official statistics, during recent six years an average apple yield has increased more than four times in the country.

In 2005 apple production constituted 720,000 tons in Ukraine that is nearly 0.5% more than in 2004. Larger production volumes were recorded only in 2003, but apple orchards acreage has contracted 17% since that time.

According to the information provided by the national Statistic Committee, the private houseplots still provide up to 78% of the total apple harvest, occupying only 33% of the total acreage of apple orchards in the country. It became possible due to the higher yield performed by the private houseplots. The Committee evaluates private houseplots according to their personal information; large agricultural enterprises and farms only provide unified statistical report, so that their acreage and yield can be underestimated much.

According to the information of the Agricultural Marketing Project, the interest to the intensive apple orchards significantly increased this year. Some large enterprises emerged in the country, they invest much in this business annually, use the most advanced production technologies and the most perspective apple varieties. Apple production business is still very profitable. It is quite possible that the season 2006 will be the first year when apple orchard acreage does not decrease in Ukraine.