September 12 2006, 09:45

Next weeks tomato price will significantly depend on weather

As of the beginning of the second decade of September, a great quantity of unripe tomatoes still remains on fields. Ukrainian farmers will harvest ripe commodities in a week or two. At the present moment tomato price is considered to be medium but sufficient to ensure feasible production.

At the present moment the wholesale price for tomatoes fluctuates $0.1 to $0.11/kg on fresh market in the southern regions; the price is higher in northern and western oblasts. The processors purchase tomatoes for $0.07/kg and more.

By the end of September tomato price will mainly depend on weather, the experts forecast. If the weather is favorable for potato ripening and harvesting, the price won't grow. It will possibly even reduce a little. At the same time, if there is chilly weather during next two weeks, a significant part of tomatoes will be lost in fields. In this case tomato shipments will dramatically reduce, and the market price will grow.

The preliminary results of the major vegetable crop harvest will be published in production and price forecast for produce commodities in "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal issue of October 2nd 2006 date.