March 7 2006, 08:45

Fruit and vegetable prices for March 8th

According to the information provided by "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" weekly journal of the produce business in Ukraine, this year before March 8th holiday fruit and vegetable prices will differ much compared to 2005. Potato and carrot grow significantly expensive this year, in 2.7-3 times in average. However, you can save money on greenhouse tomatoes and pepper as they cheapened 15-25% compared to the price in March 2005. The demand on these products is growing constantly; mostly imported tomato and pepper are sold on market. But the prices on greenhouse cucumber of the local origin jumped up before the holiday under influence of demand increase. As a result, the consumer will have to overpay 20-25% compared to cucumber prices a year ago.

Fruit prices are more encouraging. Bananas grew the most expensive - on 15% compared to the previous year. Other exotic fruits cheapened, also due to the import liberalization. Oranges cost 9% cheaper, tangerines and lemons - 2-4%, kiwi - 14% cheaper. Prices on quality apples also decreased compared to March 2005. However, the consumers' preferences changed, Ukrainians started to buy more quality apple, so an average buyer will have to pay 5-10% more by March 8th this year.

It is worth mentioning the 10% decrease of retail honey prices compared to the previous year. At the same time sugar price grew 60%, according to the results of retail price monitoring conducted by the Agricultural Marketing Project.

Mushroom consumption (champignons and oyster mushrooms) is constantly growing in Ukraine. So the purchase volumes will probably increase before the holidays. Retail mushroom prices increased 9-13% in average. Meat prices have not considerably changed since March 2005. Beef prices increased insignificantly, chicken price dropped down at the same time.

The specialists expect a significant price decrease on the majority of food stuff products just after the March 8th holiday, when the demand goes down.