Despite the war, a fragile economy, and growing climate challenges, Ukrainian table grape producers continue to prove that local fruit can be fresher and of higher quality than imported products, EastFruit reports.
One of those building the reputation of Ukrainian viticulture is Dmytro Ostapenko, director and founder of Green Technology Ltd.
“It’s too early to write off Ukrainian viticulture”
A farmer with five years of experience in the industrial cultivation of table grapes and peaches, Ostapenko believes the sector’s potential in Ukraine remains largely underestimated:
“Of course, imports affect price formation – it’s a natural element of market competition. But such competition drives Ukrainian growers to improve quality and optimize costs, which ultimately benefits the consumer.
At the same time, I disagree with the claim that there are no Ukrainian producers capable of competing with imports. The national grape industry has sufficient potential for development, and it’s far too early to give up on it.”
According to Ostapenko, Green Technology Ltd supplies grapes to some of the country’s largest retail chains:
“We’ve been cultivating and selling table grapes and peaches for five years now. With the use of modern European technologies, we continuously improve quality. Retailers themselves note that our produce often surpasses what reaches Ukraine under the label Turkish grapes.
Moreover, we have a freshness advantage – our fruit reaches the shelves of Silpo, Fozzy, Metro, and Novus in less than 24 hours after harvest.”
A market in transformation
According to Kateryna Zvierieva, Development Director of the Ukrainian Horticulture Association (UHA), Ukraine’s table grape market is gradually becoming more structured: stable suppliers are emerging, production and logistics technologies are improving, and retailers’ requirements are rising.
“The further development of this segment will depend on the introduction of modern varieties, protection against agricultural risks, respect for intellectual property rights, and producers’ access to post-harvest infrastructure.
Only under these conditions will Ukrainian grapes be able to secure a stable position not only on the domestic market but also internationally,” Kateryna Zvierieva noted.
She adds that, considering climate change, drought, and frost risks, fruit and vegetable growers need state incentives and support to implement modern protection technologies.
Also see: White or red: which table grape varieties are chosen in the Netherlands
The seedless vector: legal barriers and new genetics
Ostapenko emphasizes the seedless grape segment as the main development trend in global viticulture:
“Among our varieties, we have one seedless type – similar to ‘Kishmish Luchistyi.’ I believe the future belongs to seedless grapes.
Modern American varieties from companies such as Sun World and Bloom Fresh are already displacing others worldwide.
I’ve been in contact with these firms, but as long as Ukraine lacks strong intellectual property protection, they are unwilling to grant licenses for legal industrial cultivation.”
Kateryna Zvierieva confirms that the intellectual property issue remains one of the most serious constraints on the sector’s growth:
“Without legal access to new genetics, Ukrainian farmers cannot integrate into global value chains,” she explains.
Climate fluctuations: a delayed season
“Despite all the talk about global warming, this spring and early summer were quite cold – ripening times were delayed by two weeks compared to last year. Grapes are a heat-loving crop, and the sugar content in the berries directly depends on the total accumulated warmth of the season,” Dmytro Ostapenko notes.
Such seasonal shifts not only delay harvests but also raise the bar for technological precision – irrigation management, nutrition systems, and agricultural risk forecasting.
“Ukrainian grapes are a story of market evolution”
“The story of Ukrainian table grapes is one of internal market evolution,” says Zvierieva.
“Even during wartime, our producers can supply retailers with stable, high-quality, and fresh products. Despite territorial losses, the domestic fruit and berry industry demonstrates remarkable adaptability: farmers are rebuilding supply chains, adopting European post-harvest and cold-chain standards.
The next step should be integration into the international breeding ecosystem – with respect for intellectual property and transparent rules of the game. This will open access to new varieties and help Ukrainian grapes become a recognizable European brand.”
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