Kuban's sweet cherry harvest delayed by cold spring in 2026

This year’s sweet cherry harvest in Krasnodar Krai has been pushed back to June, well behind its usual early May start. Farmers blame the delay on an unusually cold spring in 2026, marking another setback for the region’s stone fruit growers. The Kuban region, known for its fertile land, typically produces up to 5,000 tons of sweet cherries in strong seasons. But in 2025, the total stone fruit harvest—including cherries—fell below 20,000 tons. This decline follows three years of late cold spells that have weakened cherry orchards.

Sweet cherries in Kuban grow mainly in Timashevsk, Yeysk, Kavkazsky, and Temryuk districts. While apple production remains robust, with annual yields exceeding 500,000 tons, stone fruits have struggled. The repeated frost damage has left growers facing another challenging season. With warmer weather finally arriving, farmers now hope for a recovery in June. But the delayed start means a shorter window for picking and selling this year’s crop.

The late harvest adds pressure on Kuban’s cherry farmers, who have seen yields drop for three years running. If the June crop performs well, it could help offset some losses—but the region’s stone fruit industry remains vulnerable to unpredictable weather.