November 1 2006, 11:42

Red cabbage will ensure good financial results to the producers this year

The producers of red cabbage could not boast with good financial results in season 2005/06; they were not higher than the producers of ordinary white cabbage had. In 2005 and in the beginning of 2006 the price for red cabbage was in average 5-15% higher than the price for white cabbage; it seldom exceeded 30-40% the price for white cabbage. There were periods when red cabbage was sold cheaper than white cabbage. The specialists estimate the volumes of red cabbage production to be not more than 1-2% of the volumes of white cabbage production.

The situation has been dramatically changed this season. First of all, the analysts point out the deficit for red cabbage on market. It has become more difficult to buy the product this year. In its turn, the price for red beet cabbage is 1.5-2 times higher than the price for white cabbage in conditions of a great demand. Taking into consideration the fact that the production cost does not differ much for red and white cabbage, we can say that the producers of red cabbage will have better financial results than white cabbage growers. This situation will lead to the increase of red cabbage production next season.

In the whole, the analysts point out the increasing demand and a growing market share for "non-traditional" cabbage varieties like red cabbage, broccoli, Pekinese, Savoy, Brussels sprouts, etc. The production of these crops is growing simultaneously; the sales data provided by the seed companies confirm this fact. On the third international conference "Fruits and Vegetables of Ukraine 2006. Open Market" the leaders of seed market will present their varieties and hybrids; also they will share recommendations on cabbage production in the framework of the specialized forum "New technologies in vegetable production".