August 4 2006, 11:42

Ukraine will increase peach import several times in 2006

Poor peach harvest in Ukraine is caused by frost-killed fruiting buds. The experts think this situation will lead to significant growth of peach import to Ukraine. Inner peach market was around 41,000 tons in Ukraine past year: approximately 32,000 tons of peach were grown in the country, the rest was imported. This year, only about 7,000 tons of peach will be harvested in Ukraine. "So, even taking into consideration the expected lower demand for peach because of high prices, import will substantially grow", Maxim Yenchenko says, the Market Information Specialist of the Agricultural Marketing Project. The expert thinks import can grow minimum two-fold.

In 2005 9,200 tons of peach were brought to Ukraine; peach was mainly of Greek origin (4,900 tons), Spain supplied 2,300 tons, Italy - 1,900 tons. Significantly fewer volumes were supplied from Moldova, Macedonia, SA Republic, Netherlands and other countries.