Forecast: Apple and Butter Prices in Ukraine to Climb Through Winter 2026

Price Outlook for Apples and Butter in Ukraine

According to ХВИЛЯ: New forecasts indicate that the cost of apples and butter in Ukraine is likely to increase through the end of winter in 2026, driven by wartime challenges and economic pressures. The price of apples is projected to rise by 15-20% by the end of February 2026. Already, premium apple varieties are selling for over 100 hryvnias per kilogram.

Concern is also mounting over the rising cost of butter. It is anticipated that a standard 180-200 gram pack of butter could reach 125-135 hryvnias in 2026. This follows a significant 34% price increase in 2025, with a further 12-15% rise forecast from current levels.

Key Drivers of the Price Hikes

The primary factors behind the rising cost of apples are:

• Depleted stockpiles;
• High electricity expenses;
• Loss of storage capacity.

Apples remain the staple winter fruit.

- Liliia Bystrytska

Volodymyr Chyzh highlighted a global shortage of dairy raw materials and the high costs for Ukrainian processors of switching to alternative energy sources as the main factors influencing butter prices.

Given these conditions, consumers should prepare for these products to become more expensive in the coming years. These projected increases for common grocery items come as Ukrainian households continue to navigate economic pressures from the ongoing war.

Rising prices for basic foodstuffs like apples and butter can significantly impact household welfare, especially amid economic instability. In wartime, monitoring price trends is crucial as they affect purchasing power and overall food consumption. Considering the forecasts, consumers are advised to plan their expenses accordingly, particularly for winter holidays when demand for these products traditionally surges.