January 26 2012, 14:45 APK-Inform

Frosts hit fruit and vegetable trade in Russia and Ukraine

Significant fall of temperature caused delays in deliveries of fruits and vegetables to Russian and Ukrainian retail chains. Trade in outdoor markets is almost fully paralyzed.

Supermarkets' fruit and vegetable managers reported to Fruit-Inform of serious stoppages in deliveries of fruits and vegetables as well as of higher rejects percentage in lots due to produce having been damaged by frosts during transportation.

Many farmers stopped their sales till warming. It is too risky to open storehouses and storage clamps now. Moreover, many do not want to bear additional costs for logistics.

For the present, disruption of trade has not led to any price imbalance in the market. Nevertheless, some representatives of supermarket chains think that produce prices may grow by 5-10% by early February. However, managers are sure that even if an increase in prices is registered, produce will be growing in price only for a short period of time. When a thaw sets in, the supply of vegetables will increase, and prices will sink again.

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.