Ukraine’s landscapes—from Black Sea orchards and river valleys to Carpathian foothills and backyard gardens—support a rich mix of cultivated and wild fruits that change with the seasons and local climate. Markets, roadside stands and woodlands each tell a different story about what’s ripe when.
There are 30 Fruits of Ukraine, ranging from Apple to Wild strawberry; for each entry you’ll find below Scientific name,Season,Region / Status to help you identify, time and locate every item you’ll find below.
When are most of these fruits in season across Ukraine?
Seasonality shifts by region: southern and coastal areas fruit earlier (late spring to summer), central regions peak in summer and early autumn, and mountain varieties ripen later. Use the Season column below for exact months per fruit.
Can I safely forage any of these fruits, and are some protected?
Many wild fruits are safe to forage, but correct identification via the Scientific name is essential; some plants are protected or limited by local rules. Harvest sustainably, avoid protected habitats, and check regional regulations listed under Region / Status.
Fruits of Ukraine
| Name | Scientific name | Season | Region / Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | Malus domestica | Aug–Oct | Nationwide, cultivated |
| Pear | Pyrus communis | Aug–Oct | Nationwide, cultivated |
| Quince | Cydonia oblonga | Sep–Oct | Central and southern, cultivated |
| Plum | Prunus domestica | Aug–Sep | Nationwide, cultivated and wild |
| Sweet cherry | Prunus avium | Jun–Jul | Central and western, cultivated |
| Sour cherry | Prunus cerasus | Jun–Jul | Nationwide, cultivated and wild |
| Apricot | Prunus armeniaca | Jun–Jul | Southern Ukraine, cultivated |
| Peach | Prunus persica | Jul–Aug | Southern and southeastern, cultivated |
| Nectarine | Prunus persica var. nucipersica | Jul–Aug | Southern gardens, cultivated |
| Grape | Vitis vinifera | Aug–Oct | Southern and southern-steppe, cultivated |
| Strawberry (garden) | Fragaria × ananassa | May–Jun | Nationwide, cultivated |
| Wild strawberry | Fragaria vesca | May–Jun | Forests and meadows, wild |
| Raspberry | Rubus idaeus | Jun–Aug | Nationwide, cultivated and wild |
| Blackberry | Rubus fruticosus agg. | Jul–Sep | Southern and forested regions, wild and cultivated |
| Gooseberry | Ribes uva-crispa | Jun–Aug | Central and western, cultivated and wild |
| Blackcurrant | Ribes nigrum | Jun–Jul | Nationwide, cultivated |
| Redcurrant | Ribes rubrum | Jun–Jul | Nationwide, cultivated and wild |
| Sea buckthorn | Hippophae rhamnoides | Aug–Oct | Coastal and steppe, wild and cultivated |
| Viburnum (Kalyna) | Viburnum opulus | Sep–Oct | Nationwide, wild and cultivated |
| Rosehip | Rosa canina | Sep–Nov | Nationwide, wild |
| Elderberry | Sambucus nigra | Aug–Sep | Woodlands and hedgerows, wild and cultivated |
| Bilberry (wild blueberry) | Vaccinium myrtillus | Jul–Aug | Forests, wild (Carpathians) |
| Lingonberry (cowberry) | Vaccinium vitis-idaea | Aug–Oct | Forests and bogs, wild |
| Cranberry | Vaccinium oxycoccos | Sep–Oct | Bogs and wetlands, wild |
| Cornelian cherry | Cornus mas | Aug–Sep | Western and central, cultivated and wild |
| Sloe (blackthorn) | Prunus spinosa | Oct–Nov | Hedgerows, wild |
| Mulberry | Morus alba/nigra | Jun–Jul | Southern and urban, cultivated and wild |
| Fig | Ficus carica | Aug–Sep | Southern gardens and greenhouses, cultivated |
| Walnut | Juglans regia | Sep–Oct | Nationwide (mainly west), cultivated and wild |
| Hazelnut | Corylus avellana | Sep–Oct | Western and central, cultivated and wild |
Images and Descriptions
Apple
Crisp to tender sweet-tart apples are a Ukrainian staple for fresh eating, baking (pirohy, pies), drying, juices and preserves. Many local heirloom varieties store well for winter; grown across orchards in Polissya, Kyiv, Vinnytsia and western regions.
Pear
Juicy, sweet to aromatic pears used fresh, baked, canned or in compotes and brandy. Common in home orchards and commercial plantings across central and western Ukraine; versatile in desserts and preserves and prized for late-season harvests.
Quince
Aromatic, firm yellow fruit with astringent raw flesh; cooked into jams, pastes (membrillo-style), compotes and baked desserts. Grows in home gardens and small orchards; valued for long storage and strong fragrance when stewed.
Plum
Sweet to tart stone fruits used fresh, dried as prunes, fermented into spirits (slivovitsa), jams and compotes. Plums thrive across Ukraine, especially in central and western orchards and backyard plantings.
Sweet cherry
Large, sweet cherries prized for fresh eating, desserts and preserves. Grown in orchards and gardens; cultivars provide early-summer fruit enjoyed fresh, in cakes, compotes, and candied preparations.
Sour cherry
Tart cherries commonly used in compotes, varenyky fillings, jams, cakes and liqueurs. Widely cultivated and foraged from wild stands; a defining flavor in Ukrainian baking and preserves.
Apricot
Fragrant, sweet-orangey stone fruit eaten fresh, dried, or made into jams and compotes. Thrives in Crimea and southern regions; valued for early summer harvest and use in desserts, preserves and distillates.
Peach
Juicy, fragrant peaches grown in southern Ukraine and greenhouse regions. Enjoyed fresh, canned, baked, or grilled; popular in summer markets and small-scale orchards near Odesa and Kherson.
Nectarine
Smooth-skinned peach relative with sweet, aromatic flesh used like peach: fresh, in desserts, preserves or canning. Grown in warmer southern microclimates and private gardens rather than large commercial plantations.
Grape
Wine and table grapes are central to Ukrainian viticulture—eaten fresh, dried (sultanas), or fermented into wines and brandies. Key regions include Crimea, Odesa, Zakarpattia and Taurida with long winemaking traditions.
Strawberry (garden)
Large, sweet garden strawberries widely grown for fresh eating, jams, compotes and desserts. Early-summer favorite from home beds and market producers; easily preserved by freezing or turning into preserves.
Wild strawberry
Tiny intensely aromatic berries foraged in woodlands; prized fresh, in desserts, syrups and as a fragrant addition to jams. Common in forested Polissya and Carpathian foothills during late spring and early summer.
Raspberry
Tender, sweet-tart clusters eaten fresh, in jams, syrups and baked goods. Both cultivated and wild raspberries are widely foraged and farmed across Ukraine; important for home preserves and small commercial production.
Blackberry
Black, juicy berries used fresh, in jams, desserts, and wines. Found wild in hedgerows and grown in gardens; robust flavor useful for preserves and baking throughout late summer.
Gooseberry
Tart to sweet berries used in jams, compotes, pies and sauces. Garden cultivars and wild bushes offer versatile summer fruit prized for preserves and traditional desserts.
Blackcurrant
Intensely aromatic, tart blackcurrants are made into syrups, jams, liqueurs and vitamin-rich juices. Widely cultivated across Ukraine for processing and home preserves; important for commercial production.
Redcurrant
Bright, tart clusters used in jams, jellies, compotes and decorative garnishes. Grows in gardens and wild hedgerows; popular in preserves and traditional recipes.
Sea buckthorn
Orange, very tart berries exceptionally high in vitamin C used for juices, oils, jams and medicinal syrups. Grows wild on dunes and is increasingly cultivated for nutraceuticals in southern Ukraine.
Viburnum (Kalyna)
Red, slightly bitter-sour berries of cultural symbolism; used in jams, syrups and ceremonial dishes. Foraged from hedgerows and gardens, kalyna features heavily in folklore and traditional preserves.
Rosehip
Bright red-orange hips rich in vitamin C used for teas, syrups, jams and medicinal preparations. Foraged from hedgerows, parks and meadows in autumn and commonly dried for winter infusions.
Elderberry
Dark berries used cooked in jams, syrups, wines and traditional remedies; raw berries are mildly toxic. Foraged in late summer for preserves, cordial and immune-support syrups after cooking.
Bilberry (wild blueberry)
Small, intensely flavored wild blueberries collected in mountain forests; used fresh, in pancakes, jams, and desserts. A prized foraged berry in Carpathian and northern woodlands with deep color and tart-sweet flavor.
Lingonberry (cowberry)
Tart, firm red berries used in preserves, sauces and compotes; commonly foraged in forested and boggy areas. Often paired with game dishes and traditional savory-sweet condiments.
Cranberry
Small, very tart bog berries foraged from marshes; used in sauces, preserves, compotes and tinctures. Traditionally harvested in northern wetland areas and valued for winter preserves.
Cornelian cherry
Tart, oblong red fruits used raw when ripe or stewed into jams, syrups and liqueurs. Grown as ornamental and fruiting shrubs; valued for early autumn harvests and seasonally bright flavor.
Sloe (blackthorn)
Small astringent drupes used after frost or cooking to make jellies, flavored liqueurs, and preserves. Foraged from hedgerows across Ukraine and traditionally used in homemade spirits.
Mulberry
Sweet, soft berries eaten fresh, dried, or made into jams and syrups. Found in warmer southern zones and old urban plantings; historically popular and increasingly grown in private gardens.
Fig
Sweet, honeyed figs grown in southern microclimates and protected gardens; eaten fresh, dried, or preserved. Favored in home orchards of Odesa and southern regions for late summer delicacies.
Walnut
Hard-shelled drupes yielding rich, buttery nuts used in baking, salads, preserves and as protein-rich snacks. Walnuts are widely grown and foraged in western Ukraine and home gardens.
Hazelnut
Sweet, oil-rich nuts used in confections, baking and savory dishes; both wild stands and cultivated orchards provide harvests. Important in local pâtisseries and home preserves, often foraged from hedgerows.
