EastFruit analyses fruit and vegetable trading activity across the region during week 29 of 2026.
Key market developments:
- Watermelon became the most frequently offered product
- Supplies of apricots, peaches and plums continued to increase
- Apples and grapes returned to the list of top-traded products
- Cucumbers led the vegetable segment and became cheaper
- Potato supply continued to decline
- Sales of garlic and aubergines increased
- Blueberry prices fell further in Ukraine, while strawberry prices rose
- Plums and grapes became cheaper in Uzbekistan
- Sweetcorn and berries for processing remained the most sought-after products
These and other regional fruit and vegetable market trends are covered in the latest EastFruit weekly review.
Trading activity reaches its highest level of 2026
The number of advertisements published in the EastFruit Trade Platform group increased substantially during the week, reaching its highest level since the beginning of 2026. At the same time, the geographical coverage of active participants narrowed to 11 countries.
Ukrainian suppliers continued to increase their trading activity. Participants from Uzbekistan, Egypt and Moldova also posted more offers than in the previous week, while the volume of supply from Iran declined. Serbian products returned to the platform after a period of absence.
The five most active countries by number of advertisements were:
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
- Egypt
- Poland
- Moldova
Cucumbers overtake potatoes in the vegetable segment
Potato supply continued to decline. As a result, potatoes lost their leading position and were offered roughly as often as other traditional “borscht vegetables”.
Cucumbers became the most frequently traded vegetable of the week, with the number of offers rising again. Sweet pepper supply also increased, while fewer tomato advertisements were published.
Among the products outside the weekly top ranking, sales of aubergines and garlic showed noticeable growth.
Meanwhile, the garlic category attracted international attention after a 1.75-kg bulb grown in the United Kingdom set a new world record.
One in every ten advertisements was for watermelon
As EastFruit had anticipated, watermelon became the overall leader of the trading platform. Ukrainian participants continued to expand their supply, and during the reporting week, one in every ten advertisements published in the group was for watermelon.
The number of melon sellers doubled, while supplies of apricots, peaches and plums continued to grow. The first offers of Ukrainian and Serbian plums also appeared on the platform.
At the same time, Russia has restricted imports of Turkish stone fruit following Ankara’s statements in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In France, abnormally high temperatures are threatening the harvest of the famous Agen prune.
After a short absence, apples returned to the list of the most frequently traded products, driven by active sales of early varieties from Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
Sales of Uzbek grapes doubled, while Ukrainian blueberry suppliers also became more active.
Sweetcorn and berries for freezing remain in high demand
Sweetcorn and berries intended for freezing continued to generate the strongest buyer interest among EastFruit Trade Platform participants.
The number of buyers looking for watermelons and melons also increased. Purchase requests for cucumbers and tomatoes remained relatively frequent.
EastFruit Trade Platform prices — Ukraine
Prices for vegetables traditionally included in Ukraine’s “borscht basket” continued to decline.
Cucumber prices began falling again, while tomatoes became more expensive. Cauliflower and garlic were also offered at lower prices than a week earlier. Sweetcorn prices continued their downward trend.
In the fresh herbs segment, dill and parsley became cheaper, while prices for spring onions and lettuce increased.
The fruit and berry segment saw lower prices for apples and pears. Blueberries continued to become cheaper, while strawberry prices moved upwards.
Prices for sweet cherries and apricots increased, whereas plums and sour cherries became cheaper. The growing watermelon supply pushed prices down, while melon prices rose amid stronger demand.
EastFruit Trade Platform prices — Uzbekistan
In Uzbekistan, cucumber prices returned to their previous level after increasing a week earlier.
Plum prices continued to fall. Prices for kishmish grapes were halved, while red grape varieties also became significantly cheaper.
Activity in the technology segment continues to decline
Trading activity in the EastFruit Fruittechnology group continued to weaken.
Packaging for fresh produce remained the most frequently offered category, although the number of packaging suppliers fell by half compared with the previous week.
There were only isolated offers of planting material, seedlings and fertilisers. Technology products and equipment included drip irrigation pipes, greenhouse film, shade netting and agricultural fleece. Greenhouse construction services were also promoted.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has launched a large-scale trial of new strawberry varieties developed by Fresh Forward Inc.
Read EastFruit’s analysis of fruit and vegetable supply trends during week 28 of 2026 here
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