January 25 2012, 14:15 Fruit-Inform

Onion prices continue to decrease in Ukraine

According to Fruit-Inform, onion prices keep on slowly decreasing in Ukraine notwithstanding fall of temperature and their already low levels in the country. As of today, producers from southern regions sell their onions averagely at UAH 0.50-0.70/kg (EUR 0.05-0.07/kg), while in the same period of 2011 onion prices varied between UAH 4.00-4.40/kg (EUR 0.39-0.42/kg). In such a way, almost all market participants with available stocks of onions currently sell them at a loss that can have a seriously negative impact on planted areas under onions in the next season.

“Producers selling their onions directly to retail chains or trading through large wholesale markets receive the highest prices for their produce”, Tetiana Getman, Head of Fruit-Inform, says. “At the same time, in the southern regions of Ukraine, wholesalers are ready to purchase onions at UAH 0.30/kg (EUR 0.03/kg). Sometimes, they manage to do it; however, in this case, they purchase mainly low-quality onions”, the expert continues.

Onion prices in Ukraine have already fallen to Polish levels, therefore a possibility of imports from Poland is blocked. At the same time, onions are not actively exported from Ukraine now, although the interest to Ukrainian produce have already emerged.

In such a way, Fruit-Inform's forecasts of the Ukrainian onion market situation development are fully corroborated. The first fundamental production and price forecast for the year 2012 (preliminary forecast was presented at in December 2011) will be presented 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.

We would also remind you that detailed information about Ukrainian and Russian fruit and vegetable markets is available for subscribers of Fruit-Inform Weekly service package.