Information for fruit and vegetables business in CIS
The moderate price on Crimean grape resulted in rapid growth of sales volumes in Poltava
According to the information provided by Yuriy Konyaev, Market Information Specialist of Poltava office, Agricultural Marketing Project, Crimean grape of "Moldova" variety appeared on the market in the beginning of February and met a great demand of the buyers. During two weeks it practically displaced the imported grape from the retail market where it was sold on 2 - 2.5 times more expensive than the Crimean grape. Price turned out to be the decisive factor for the Poltava inhabitants as it influenced the demand. However, AMP specialists consider the Crimean grape to be of high quality, good look and taste characteristics.
During the previous week, according to evaluation of Yuriy Konyaev, the Crimean grape supply volume increased in 5-7 times that approximately corresponded to the demand growth rate.
We should note that the trend of acreage contraction for table grape producing lands has been observed recently in Ukraine. This situation is caused first of all by the necessity to obtain the long-term cheap loans for new vineyard establishment; it is not possible right now in the commercial banks. The acreage contraction has been exceeded 25% during 5 years.
Still the grape yield increased as a result of more modern technologies application. We expect that the acreage of grape producing lands will be stabilized and start increasing in 3-5 years, cause grape may give to the produces very good and stable profit.
At present about 60% of Ukrainian table grape are produced in AR Crimea and 23% - in Odesa oblast. The far less acreage of table grape producing lands are registered in Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts. The table grape production is very perspective in the unique climatic conditions of Zakarpattya oblast which, by the way, borders the large consumer market of Lviv oblast.