Cabbage prices have soared sharply in Ukraine: what caused the price increase

Recent days in Ukraine have brought a sudden rise in the prices of white cabbage. According to analysts from EastFruit, this situation arose due to the off-season: the average varieties of cabbage are almost sold out, and late harvests are just starting to be brought to the market by several farms. With a limited quantity of goods and stable demand, vegetable prices have begun to rise sharply.

In early September, farmers are selling cabbage for 7–16 hryvnias per kilogram, depending on quality and volume. This is on average 27% more expensive than last week. Producers explain that there is practically no mid-season cabbage on the market now, and the late harvest has not yet spread widely. The demand remains high, which additionally drives prices up.

'This is a typical period of deficiency between harvest waves, when buyers are forced to pay more for limited volumes of product,' market participants note.

Despite the price increase, cabbage in Ukraine remains cheaper than last year. Today, it is on average 36% cheaper than at the same time in 2024.

Experts predict that prices may rise further at the beginning of next week. However, later the situation may change: the mass arrival of late varieties to the market may sharply reduce the prices of this seasonal vegetable.

Cabbage is one of the most popular vegetables in Ukraine. The expected seasonal increase in prices during the spring-summer period is related to the absence of mid-season harvest and the transitional period between batches of different cabbage varieties. While prices may temporarily rise, they can just as quickly fall as they have risen.