June 22 2006, 09:49

Shipments of field cucumber led to dramatic price drop on Odesa market

Since the end of previous week shipments of field cucumber have started to come on market of Odesa oblast, according to information of Dmitriy Chernyak, the Market Information Specialist of Odesa office, Agricultural Marketing Project. The season of field cucumber is only at its beginning right now, farmers from southern rayons of Odesa oblast have gathered only 2-3 first harvests. However, the volume of harvested field cucumber turned out to be enogh to cause price drop. On Friday past week small wholesale shipments of cucumber cost $ 0.52-0.58/kg, retail prices were $0.58-0.78/kg on PRIVOZ central market in Odesa. The prices started to dramatically decline during weekend. Small wholesale shipments of cucumber are supplied now for $0.13-0.15/kg. Retail price does not exceed $0.29/kg; it is lower now than the price level at the same period of time past year. Producers from southern rayons report about cucumbers sold out of field for $0.09/kg and even $0.05/kg.

Cucumber of the size more than 9 sm is mostly presented on market, but active supplies influenced the prices of other cucumber types.

Some greenhouse enterprises specialize on cornichon (5-9 sm size) production; they report about dramatic decrease of interest to their produce from the side of retail chains. Respectively, it is problematic to sell produce. At present moment they can not sell the commodities for more than $0.19/kg.

According to the data of price monitoring on KOPANI wholesale market in Kherson oblast, the same situation is observed there.

Cucumber prices have already dramatically dropped once on the markets of southern oblasts of Ukraine. Still, price decline did not last long; it was observed only in the first decade of June. The same dynamic price jump of 50% followed, and then the price remained relatively stable. Such price dynamics is not typical for this period of time; moreover, continuous rains can result in plant disease outbreak and consequent production decrease. Taking into account these facts, the market analysts do not see any reason for the same rapid price decrease to continue. However, it is rather hard to forecast further situation development.