June 16 2006, 10:28

Odesa strawberry producers consider this season to be rather successful

Despite of winter frosts which partially injured plants, and cold spring which delayed ripening process, major strawberry producers consider this season to be successful. Many producers from the southern rayons of Odesa oblast are already close to finish sales period, according to information provided by Dmitriy Chernyak, the Market Information Specialist of Odesa oblast, Agricultural Marketing Project. At present moment wholesale shipments of strawberry are sold out of field for $1.17-1.37/kg; this price is $0.19/kg higher than the level of retail prices a year ago. And, there were practically no rainfalls on the South of Odesa oblast during the whole ripening season for strawberry, so that strawberry producers managed to avoid strawberry losses and diseases. The losses caused by frosts were compensated. Producers inform that an average yield of early strawberry and medium strawberry turned out to be relatively equal to the past year level; some farmers got even better yield.

This year first national strawberry entered Odesa market in the end of second decade of May (it is one week later than usual). But, price decrease was more dramatic than a year ago. Despite the expectations of some producers, next week strawberry price was equal to the price level observed at the same period of time in 2005, according to the results of retail price monitoring on PRIVOZ central market in Odesa. However, the price remained stable during two weeks. In the end of the first decade of June average prices started to grow; in 2005 average price declined at the same period of time. By the end of this week strawberry prices have declined 10% in average. At the present moment strawberry prices still exceed 40-80% the past year prices depending from quality.