Information for fruit and vegetables business in CIS
Season 2005 was successful for squash producers
The insignificant supply of squash on the retail markets of Odesa witnesses that the production season of this commodity is finished in Odesa oblast. As Valentina Kotsur, the Agronomist of Odesa office, Agricultural Marketing Project (AMP), says, the agriclimatic conditions of this year were favorable for squash production in Odesa oblast. Wet and cool beginning of summer encouraged the plants to vegetate well. Hail damaged hard the leaves of squash but only hampered the development of plant and did not affect the yield much, as squash is able to recover easily. The wide-scale disease injuries were not observed too.
The market players think that the production volumes were not less than a year ago which was also favorable enough for squash production. This season the processors did not feel the lack of this raw material. The wholesale purchase price in the peak of season was USD 0.02-0.03/kg, USD 0.036/kg maximum. The price level is a little bit higher than in 2004 when squash was purchased on USD 0.02/kg. However, some producers mentioned the difficulties they faced selling squash for processing in the peak season, so that they had to decrease the price down to USD 0.024-0.026/kg.
The average price on retail market, according to the AMP price monitoring, was higher 10-30% comparing to the previous year.
The analysts' opinions come down to the conclusion that this year was rather successful for squash processors, though its supply sometimes exceeded demand.