July 17 2006, 10:23

Strawberry season is finished in Ukraine

Strawberry season 2006 came to an end in the first decade of June. The last shipments of strawberry were recorded in the Central Ukraine (wholesale price was 0.98/kg on FARMER market in Kyiv) and in Western Ukraine (wholesale price was $1.37/kg on SHUVAR market in Lviv). A week earlier the season was over in the South of Ukraine; the prices kept on level $1.17/kg till the end. The sales period for national strawberry lasted for 7 weeks.

Strawberry season ended at the same period of time past year in the Central Ukraine; though, the final prices were $1.47/kg. The past year season ended up with the prices $1/kg and $1.6/kg in Western and Southern regions respectively.

This year first strawberry entered markets mid May for the wholesale price of $4.9/kg (KOPANI market, local supplies) and $7.8/kg (FARMER market, Kyiv, supplies were performed by southern producers of the country). Strawberry started to be sold a week later for the price of $5.8/kg in Western region; Zakarpattya supplied berries to this market.

Past year season started one week earlier comparing to 2006; the prices were $1/kg lower in the South of Ukraine. The starting prices were equal in 2005 and in 2006 in Kyiv.

The seasons of 2005 and 2006 do not differ much as to their length; however, the prices were quite diversified. The prices were higher, at least on 25%, during practically the whole season this year than in 2005. The predominant share of the produce was sold 45% more expensive comparing to past season. The lowest price was recorded on level $0.72/kg this season (the lowest price was $0.52/kg a year ago).

According to information provided by the producers from all regions of Ukraine, they consider this season to be successful. In the whole, the warnings about frost-killed cultivation areas on large acreage did not come true. At the same time, in some regions strawberry suffered during vegetation. In particular, cold weather during blooming period reduced strawberry yield in Crimea. Part of strawberry acreage suffered from rainfalls in Zakarpattya. But, in major cases the overall yield is on the level of the season 2005, to the producers' opinion.