July 19 2006, 15:27

Garlic producers expect harvest and prices are good

Odesa producers have already started harvesting garlic; they expect a good harvest this year, according to information provided by Dmitriy Chernyak, the Market Information Specialist of Odesa office, Agricultural Marketing Project (AMP). Even beginners expect to have the yield up to 6 tons/ha, though they produce this crop for the first time. An average yield has been 5.3 tons/ha in Odesa oblast during 7 recent years. According to data of the official statistics, garlic production is steadily growing in Odesa oblast in recent years. At the present moment oblast occupies the second place as for garlic production volumes in Ukraine. This year, according to forecast done by AMP analysts, the cultivation area of garlic will grow at least 5%. The number of garlic producers is increasing too. High prices for garlic in fall-winter period contributed to this trend much. And, national garlic was practically absent on market this spring. The wholesale price is significantly higher than the purchase prices recorded at the same period of time past year, when the prices did not exceed $0.78/kg. Despite of this fact, the producers speak about a good demand for this produce from the side of both wholesalers and processing enterprises. At the present moment on main wholesale markets garlic costs $1.17-1.27/kg and more on the South of Ukraine and up to $1.56-1.96/kg in other regions. Taking into account the experience of past season, increased demand for garlic from the side of canneries which build up processing capacities this year, the producers do not think the garlic price will significantly decrease this year.