Category
Stone Fruits
- Season / availabilityJune–September depending on crop; frozen year-round
- Main originsVinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Odesa, Zakarpattia, Cherkasy
- Shelf lifeUp to 24 months frozen at −18 °C
Sour cherry, plum, apricot, peach and sweet cherry for freezing, canning and drying.
Overview
Ukrainian stone fruits — sour cherry, sweet cherry, plum, apricot and peach — are a core raw material for the EU jam, dairy, bakery and beverage industries, supplied fresh in season and as pitted IQF or puree for year-round processing.
Key facts
- Season / availabilityJune–September depending on crop; frozen year-round
- Main originsVinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Odesa, Zakarpattia, Cherkasy
- Shelf lifeUp to 24 months frozen at −18 °C
- HS codes0809 (fresh) / 0811.90 (frozen) — verify 8-digit CN code
Main Product Types
Browse the sub-categories inside this group to reach individual product specifications.
- ApricotApricots for freezing, drying and puree.2
- NectarineNectarines for fresh market.
- PeachPeaches for fresh market and processing.1
- PlumPlums for freezing, drying (prunes) and puree.1
- Sour CherryUkrainian sour cherry is a first-tier export product: large orchard area, established pitting and freezing capacity, and…4
- Sweet CherrySweet cherry for fresh export and freezing.2
Processing Methods
Standard formats: pitted IQF (whole), unpitted IQF, puree and concentrate. Optical sorting and metal detection are standard at export-oriented facilities; pit detection methods vary — confirm per supplier.
Packaging Formats
Industrial: 10–20 kg cartons with PE liner, 300–500 kg octabins for puree/processing grades. Retail pouches for sour cherry exist but are less common than industrial formats.
Quality & Grades
Key buyer checks: pit-tolerance standards (residual stones per kg), MRL compliance and lot microbiology. Processors typically operate HACCP systems; confirm BRCGS/IFS status per facility and specify pit tolerance and defect limits in the contract spec.
Export Considerations
Reefer FTL/LTL at −18 °C, 2–5 days DAP to most EU destinations. Documents: CMR, invoice, packing list, lot COA. Book early in the June–July sour cherry window — capacity tightens in peak weeks.
Relevant Routes
- Ukraine → Berlin (Germany) — Reefer RoadReefer road corridor from Ukraine to Berlin and eastern Germany, gateway to the largest EU food market.
- Ukraine → Bucharest (Romania) — Reefer RoadReefer road corridor from Ukraine to Bucharest via the southern border, gateway to Romania and the Black Sea region.
- Ukraine → Prague (Czechia) — Reefer RoadReefer road corridor from Ukraine to Prague and the Czech market, with onward links to southern Germany.
- Ukraine → Rotterdam (Netherlands) — Reefer RoadLong-haul reefer corridor from Ukraine to Rotterdam, the main North Sea logistics hub, for Benelux and overseas-connected buyers.
Top Export Markets
EU processors import large volumes of pitted sour cherry and plum for jams, yogurts and pastries. Ukraine offers competitive harvest-window pricing and established pitting/freezing capacity within 2–5 days’ road transit of Central European plants.
Market Trends
EU demand for sour cherry puree and pitted IQF is stable to growing; buyers increasingly lock volumes pre-harvest. Sugar-infused and bake-stable formats are emerging niches.
Certifications
Frequently Asked Questions
Which stone fruits does Ukraine export in volume?
Sour cherry (pitted IQF and puree) is the leader, followed by plum and sweet cherry; apricot and peach volumes are smaller and mostly seasonal.
How is residual pit content controlled?
Pitting lines work to tolerance limits expressed as residual stones per kg. Confirm the tolerance, detection method (optical/X-ray where available) and claim procedure in the specification.
When should I contract sour cherry volumes?
Main harvest is June–July; pre-harvest contracting (April–May) secures volume and first-processing slots. Spot buying is possible but pricing firms quickly in short seasons.
Is fresh stone fruit export realistic?
Yes for nearby EU markets via express frigo, but shelf life is short and phytosanitary rules apply — most export volume moves as frozen or puree.
Popular Questions
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- BRCGS or IFS Food: which certification should a supplier hold?Both are GFSI-recognised, so for most buyers either is acceptable. The choice follows the customer base rather than the standard.
- Can a minimum order quantity be negotiated?Often, but not by asking for a smaller number. An MOQ usually reflects a production run, a packaging order or a full load, and it moves when one of th…
Related Knowledge
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Quick Facts
- Season / availabilityJune–September depending on crop; frozen year-round
- Main originsVinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Odesa, Zakarpattia, Cherkasy
- Shelf lifeUp to 24 months frozen at −18 °C
- HS codes0809 (fresh) / 0811.90 (frozen) — verify 8-digit CN code
On this page
Related Categories
- BerriesBerries are Ukraine's flagship horticultural export. The category covers cultivated and wild berries — raspberry, strawb…
- Citrus FruitsReserved for classification completeness; not a Ukrainian export position.
- Dried Fruits
- Frozen Fruits
- GrapesTable and processing grapes.
- MelonsWatermelon and melon, seasonal fresh export.
- Other Fruits
- Pome FruitsApples, pears and quince for fresh export, juice concentrate and drying.
Key Standards
Products in this category
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Frozen Peach Halves and Slices
Frozen peach and nectarine from Ukraine in halves, slices and dice. Why clingstone and freestone are a processing…
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Frozen Sweet Cherry Pitted IQF
IQF pitted sweet cherry. Calibre, colour, pit tolerances, seasonality and intake checks.
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Frozen Sour Cherry (Pitted) IQF
IQF pitted sour cherry. Pit and pit fragment tolerances, calibre, Brix and acidity, seasonality and intake checks.
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Frozen Sour Cherry (Unpitted) IQF
IQF unpitted sour cherry for juice and pressing. Brix, acidity, seasonality and why unpitted is the cheaper route…
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Frozen Sweet Cherry Pitted IQF
IQF pitted sweet cherry. Calibre, colour, pit tolerances, seasonality and intake checks.
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Frozen Sour Cherry (Pitted) IQF
IQF pitted sour cherry. Pit and pit fragment tolerances, calibre, Brix and acidity, seasonality and intake checks.
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Frozen Sour Cherry (Unpitted) IQF
IQF unpitted sour cherry for juice and pressing. Brix, acidity, seasonality and why unpitted is the cheaper route…