June 21 2006, 13:23

Processors of Crimean apples will lack raw materials

In 2005 apple yield was 38.5 centners/ha in average in Crimea, or more than 47,000 tons of gross production. Winter frosts played their great role here. According to data of Crimean Orchard Station of National Orchard Institute, 10 to 55% of fruit buds have been damaged in rayons as a result of winter frosts. As to the analysis of young fruits, the yield can decrease more than 2-2.5 times in orchards in 2006. It means that about 18,000 tons of apples are likely to be harvested this year.

The situation is quite possible that Crimean processing enterprises suffer from lack of raw materials. Still, if all agri-technological practices are correctly applied, apple quality can be even higher than in 2005 for fresh market. Past season vendors sell not only local apples; apples from the other oblasts of Ukraine cost 1.5-2 times cheaper than local apples.

The development of storage technologies for fruits resulted in the extended sales season for apples. Apples can be supplied year-round from modern storages. But, there is a few number of modern storages in Crimea; so apples of local origin were practically absent on market in April-May. Fruits from Turkey, Poland, and neighboring Moldova replaced Crimean apples on shelves. They are of the same varieties as national apples: Golden Delicious, Idared, Simirenko, etc. The price of imported apples grew from $0.98/kg to $2.35/kg now on retail markets.