Information for fruit and vegetables business in CIS
Ukraine: production of melons and watermelons may go down in Crimea
Production of melons and watermelons may sharply go down in Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Ukraine, according to Fruit-Inform.
Suppliers of seeds say of Crimean farmers returning purchased seeds of melons and watermelons. Some growers say about plans to reduce their areas by up to 50% in this season.
The experts connect this situation with Crimean farmers being uncertain about water supply for irrigation as well as possibilities to sell their products after harvest. The tourist season is practically broken due to the political situation in the peninsula. It was the tourist season that many farmers focused on when planning areas under melons and watermelons in 2013. Meanwhile, shipments to other Ukrainian regions remain doubtful.
Nevertheless, a decrease in production of melons and watermelons will have a slight impact on the Ukrainian market, as the share of Crimea in the country's sector is not large. For example, Crimea accounted just for 2% of Ukraine's total production of melons and watermelons in the previous season. We would remind you that main production facilities are located in Kherson Region, which accounts for the annual share of about 50% in total production of melons and watermelons in Ukraine.