June 9 2011, 14:00 Fruit-Inform

Ukrainian frozen berry producers can give up purchases of Ukrainian strawberries

Enterprises dealing with shock freezing of berries do not exclude the fact that they will have to give up purchases of Ukrainian strawberries in this season.

Their hopes for decrease of prices since early June were not realized as strawberries are as before rather expensive that, according to Fruit-Inform Project, is connected with later start of harvesting campaign. Currently, strawberry prices are not lower than UAH 12-15/kg (EUR 1.03-1.29/kg) in the southern regions of Ukraine, while in the same period of last year prices had already decreased to UAH 6-10/kg (EUR 0.52-0.86/kg). Moreover, it is rather difficult both for processors and fresh market operators to find high-quality strawberries, which prices varies within UAH 17-20/kg (EUR 1.46-1.72/kg) this week. There are mainly small, not sweet strawberries in the market now. According to producers, berries' quality suffers from drought.

In connection with this, frozen berry producers forecast growth of frozen strawberry imports from Poland and China. For comparison, strawberry prices in neighboring Poland vary within EUR 0.75-1.30/kg.

More detailed information about Ukrainian and Russian markets for frozen fruits, berries and vegetables is available in the fundamental study “Market for Frozen Fruits, Berries, and Vegetables of Ukraine and Russia” which can be ordered at International Relations Department of Fruit-Inform Project by phone +380 96 5836323 (Ievgen Kuzin), or via e-mail: [email protected].