January 23 2012, 14:09 Fruit-Inform

Ukraine: fruits and vegetables decreasing in price for the 8th month in a row

Fruit-Inform's fruit and vegetable index shows that the value of Ukrainians' fruit and vegetable basket decreased by 2.6% last week, after 10.7% fall a week earlier. In such a way, fruits and vegetables have been decreasing in price for the 8th month in a row.

“Notwithstanding some experts' forecasts of higher prices since a fall of temperature in Ukraine, fruits and vegetables keep on decreasing in price due to the supply significantly prevailing over the demand”, Tetiana Getman, Head of Fruit-Inform, says. “Greenhouse vegetables made the most important contribution to a reduction of the basket's value last week. At the same time, potatoes and traditional vegetables (onions, white cabbages, red beets, carrots) keep on becoming less expensive too”, the expert continues.

Notwithstanding that reduction of prices makes consumers happy, it has a negative impact on producers and traders. As of today, many are seriously concerned about farmers not being able to finance production of potatoes and vegetables in new season that will force producers to reduce areas and lower the quality of produce. Moreover, many small wholesale companies have already left the fruit and vegetable market as a result of low prices and development of wholesale markets' chain.

More detailed information about Ukrainian and Russian fruit and vegetable markets is available for subscribers of Fruit-Inform Weekly service package.

We would also remind you that the Ukrainian potato and vegetable business will gather at the 4th International Conference “Potatoes and Vegetables of Ukraine – 2012”, President Hotel, Kiev, Ukraine, February 16-17, 2012. The event is supported by Ukrainian Association of Potato Producers and Ukrainian Association of Wholesale Markets and will be attended by the biggest vegetable and potato producers, suppliers of seeds, machinery, equipment, the largest purchasers of produce and companies interested in investing in the Ukrainian vegetable and potato business. To join them, please, fill out an application form.