Olena Drovnyak’s Story
A Ukrainian woman living in Poland has shared her experience earning money by picking cherries. In just six hours of work, Olena Drovnyak collected 100 kilograms of cherries, earning 250 zloty. Instead of taking cash, however, she decided to accept payment in cherries. She explained: “I picked 100 kg in 6 hours. I earned 250 zloty (about 3,000 UAH). I didn’t take the money. I took cherries instead.”
“I picked 100 kg in 6 hours. I earned 250 zloty (about 3,000 UAH). I didn’t take the money. I took cherries instead.”
Olena was joined by her mother, father, and 16-year-old son in the cherry fields. Together, they managed to earn 1,000 zloty (nearly 12,000 UAH) in half a day. The pay rate for cherry picking was 2.50 zloty per kilogram, which equals roughly 30 UAH.
Social media users have also been sharing their own takes on this kind of work. One commenter, 9tani4ka, reported earning 200 zloty for a full day of picking, adding that “after that, I swore I’d never do it again.” Another user, oleksandrivnaolia, noted that cherries sell for 20 zloty per kilogram. While interest in the job is high, some users question whether it’s truly profitable once you factor in costs for food and transportation.
Hard Realities of the Job
Olena and her family’s experience highlights the real-world challenges of fruit picking in Poland, a common source of income for many Ukrainians. Despite the potential earnings, workers often face physical strain and added expenses that can eat into their profits. This situation underscores the difficulties migrant laborers encounter, as well as their willingness to adapt to new working conditions.