March 15 2006, 12:53

Production of carrots in Odessa can grow 30-40% this year

Representatives of the seed supply companies have noted a sharp increase in demand for vegetable seeds in Odessa oblast. The sharpest increase, however, was noted for the seeds of red beets and carrots, according to Dmytro Chernyak, market information specialist of the Odesa office of Agricultural Marketing Project.

Certainly, the choice of producers is influenced by the high prices for these products in the current season. In November 2005 carrot prices were close to US $0.3 per kg but now the price has gone up to almost US $0.5 per kg. Moreover, high quality carrots are sold for as much as US $0.7-0.8 per kg. Considering simplicity of production technology storage of this product, producers' interest to expend production is well explained. Analysts expect that this years' planted area of carrots can grow by at least 30%, and it is possible, that the increase will be as high as 40%.