Information for fruit and vegetables business in CIS
Ukraine: Crimean farmers start selling first strawberries in this season
The strawberry season started in Ukraine this week. First small volumes of strawberries were shipped from summer greenhouses in Crimea (southern part of the country). Current prices vary between UAH 55-65/kg (EUR 5.24-6.19/kg), depending on quality. This year the Ukrainian strawberry season started at least two weeks later than last year. At the same time, prices are almost the same year-on-year. Crimean farmers say of rather keen demand for strawberries despite high prices. Berries are shipped mainly to the local market; however, large Ukrainian retail chains are expected to start purchasing Crimean strawberries in the nearest time.
This information is confirmed by supermarkets' purchasing managers. They are unsatisfied with sales rates of imported strawberries. Consumers do not show high interest in these berries, and managers have to regularly reduce their prices due to rapidly worsening quality. Furthermore, eating qualities of imported strawberries leave much to be desired. Current average retail prices of strawberries vary between UAH 30-35/kg (EUR 2.86-3.34/kg) in Ukrainian supermarkets. A week earlier, prices were 35-40% higher.
According to Fruit-Inform, strawberry production has been booming in Ukraine. Farmers keep on investing in the berry business development thanks to stable internal demand and successful experience in exports.
More detailed information about the Ukrainian strawberry segment will be presented at the 4th International Conference “Berries of Ukraine – 2013: Frozen Produce & Fresh Market”.
The conference will be held on May 16-17, 2013, Mykolaiv, Ukraine. To learn more about the event, please visit the web-site: http://www.fruit-inform.com/en/conferences/berry2013/about
Would you have any questions regarding the conference, please contact International Relations Department of Fruit-Inform:
tel: +380 562 320795 (ext. - 341)
cell: +380 96 5836323 (Ievgen Kuzin)
e-mail: [email protected]