July 19 2006, 09:46

High water-melon price is a result of delayed harvest

Water-melon price is twice as high today than it was at the same period of time past year on Ukrainian markets. The information was provided by "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal with reference to the results of price monitoring conducted by the Agricultural Marketing Project. As of July 19th the wholesale price for water-melon is $0.33-0.39/kg on wholesale produce market FARMER in Kyiv. The price is $0.15-0.19/kg on KOPANI market in Kherson oblast. At the same period of time past year water-melon cost $0.15-0.19/kg in Kyiv and $0.07-0.09/kg on KOPANI market. The specialists mention delayed ripening of water-melons to be the main reason for high prices.

Mikhail Dzhorkashvili, one of the largest water-melon producers in Crimea, tells about unfavorable weather conditions which negatively influenced early harvest of such cucurbits crops as melon and water-melon. First of all, the terms of ripening were postponed 2-3 weeks for these crops. Consequently, sales price is higher this year than in 2005.

However, despite of the fact that early cucurbits crops entered market later than usual, the specialists forecast significantly larger gross harvest of melons and water-melons in 2006 comparing to the pervious year. According to the data of AMP survey, many new market players got interested in opportunities provided by cucurbits crops production. As to AMP forecast, production will grow 35-40%. Frost-killed fruiting buds on trees were one of the reasons to extend cultivation areas of melons and water-melons. Farmers planted cucurbits crops hoping to compensate the profit lost on fruits. They also anticipate the demand to grow soon.

Poor fruit harvest will result in rather attractive prices for water-melons, despite of the production increase forecasted for this crop. It is possible that prices will be lower than in 2005 in the certain periods of time.