April 23 2012, 15:37 Fruit-Inform

Russia stops imports of Ukrainian greenhouse cucumbers and tomatoes

Russia stopped importing greenhouse cucumbers and tomatoes from Ukraine last week. As of April 20, 2012, Ukrainian greenhouse centers sold their produce only in the internal market. Ukrainian vegetables lost their competitive strength in the Russian market because of their high prices. According to Fruit-Inform, last week greenhouse cucumbers fell in price by 35-40% week-on-week in Russia; tomatoes became 15-20% less expensive.

Price collapse in the Russian cucumber market was connected mainly with higher supply of domestic produce. Tomato prices fell mainly as a result of inexpensive tomato imports from Belarus. As of April 20, 2012, large quantities of Belarusian tomatoes and cucumbers were offered at $1.80-2.10/kg in Moscow, while Ukrainian producers sold their tomatoes at no lower than $2.20-2.30/kg, and cucumbers – at $2.60-2.80/kg. For comparison, Russian greenhouse centers offered tomatoes at $1.90-2.30/kg, and cucumbers – at $1.70-2.40/kg.

Russia having stopped imports was a painful surprise for the Ukrainian greenhouse sector, as it was exports where Ukraine's greenhouse producers hoped to earn good money during memorial days and May holidays.

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