The apple production in CIS countries (former Soviet republics) has increased in recent years. Russia is still number one, and is also the fastest grower, according to official statistics. In the past five years, production is said to have increased by 45 percent. For other countries, the growth figures turned out lower: Ukraine +25%, Uzbekistan +35%, and the smallest grower Azerbaijan +15%. This year, the countries together are expected to harvest 5.5 million tonnes of apples, an increase of 60 percent over five years.