May 11 2005, 11:08 Agrarian Marketing Project

The production of water-melon and melon in Ukraine may increase in 2005 in Ukraine

According to the assessments of Agricultural Marketing Project, in 2005 the production of cucurbits crops may grow on 15% in Ukraine. The production increase is possible both due to the acreage extension on 5% and the expected growth of the average yield on 9%.

Past year the production of cucurbits crops in Ukraine, according to the data of the official statistics, decreased on 3% as a result of the acreage contraction. This factor, and the unfavorable weather conditions led to the significant growth of the average price on water-melons and melons on the inner market. So, in the previous year the farmers - the producers of cucurbits crops were able to get a rather good profit.

We should also mention that water-melon is still one of the few crops on fruit and vegetable market of Ukraine which is successfully exported in the EU countries. The export volumes are dynamically increasing from year to year.