Ukraine has officially registered artichoke varieties for the first time by adding them to the State Register of Plant Varieties approved for cultivation. Two Spanish-bred varieties, Lorca and Tupac, have received state registration, creating new opportunities for commercial cultivation and legal propagation of the crop in Ukraine.
Until now, artichoke had remained a niche crop grown by only a handful of Ukrainian farms. According to industry estimates, commercial plantations currently cover less than 10 hectares, although interest in the crop has been increasing due to the expansion of the restaurant sector, healthy eating trends, and demand for high-value vegetables.
The official registration simplifies commercial production, seed multiplication, and wider distribution of the varieties among Ukrainian growers. It also lays the foundation for future export opportunities, as registered varieties comply with national regulatory requirements.
Industry experts believe that artichoke has strong potential as a profitable niche crop, particularly for small and medium-sized farms seeking to diversify production. As consumer preferences continue to evolve, the registration of these first varieties marks an important step toward establishing a new segment within Ukraine's vegetable industry.