Ukrainian horticulture has once again drawn attention – this time not for the scale of its farms, but for a unique result of manual labor. A Kyiv resident, 63-year-old Yuriy Kozhemiakin, set a national record by growing an apple weighing 1 kg 281 g. The record was officially registered by the National Record Registry of Ukraine in the “Living Nature” category.
The fruit’s circumference measured 50 cm, and according to the registry director Lana Vietrova, the gardener had to use special ties and supports to ensure the branch could bear such weight. The fruit grew on a three-year-old tree, which is itself unusual for such results.
The variety in question is the French-bred Jumbo Pomme, known for its tendency to produce large fruits. Interestingly, during flowering, three apples initially formed on the tree, but only one was left to achieve maximum results. This approach is well-known among professional gardeners: controlling the tree’s load allows nutrients to concentrate in a single fruit.
Yuriy Kozhemiakin is a veterinarian by education, but gardening is his life’s work. He dedicated his record to his grandparents, who instilled in him a love for gardening during his childhood. Such stories reaffirm that modern success in the agricultural sector combines knowledge, patience, and respect for the land.
For Ukrainian agribusiness, this record has broader significance. It demonstrates the potential of varietal selection, the importance of proper plant care, and the economics of quality, where even a single fruit can become a nationwide news event. In niche horticulture, farming operations, and craft production, such results create added value and enhance producer reputation.
In our WEAGRO blog, we regularly share such cases for a reason. The Ukrainian agricultural sector isn’t just about yields in tons and hectares, but also about examples of careful work with technologies, varieties, and resources. These stories inspire farmers to invest in quality, plan orchard renewals, and implement modern approaches to agricultural production.
The record-breaking apple from Kyiv is clear proof that Ukrainian horticulture can be just as impressive as global examples when handled by people with experience, patience, and genuine love for the land.
