November 29 2006, 11:44

Hopes of producers and wholesalers for high prices for vegetables in winter period can be delusive

Most players of the produce market are dissatisfied with today's price level for such vegetables like onion, carrot, table beet, white cabbage and potato. Also, according to the polls done among the market players, the forecasts of the significant price growth for vegetables as soon as in January are done by the majority of those who storage vegetables. Almost everyone thinks that the prices will be high in spring 2006.

At the same time, the market analysts think differently. They consider the forecasts of the market players to be only the reflection of their wishes. Possibly, these wishes won't come true. The price forecast for fruits and vegetables in 2007 was prepared to be presented during the first day of the third international conference "Fruits and Vegetables of Ukraine 2006. Open Market". Working on this document, the experts of the Agricultural Marketing Project made some uncomforting conclusions for those players who storage vegetables. To the opinion of A. Yarmak, the Deputy Director of the Agricultural Marketing Project, the record stocks of vegetables are accumulated in the storages of various types. These stocks will press the market during the whole season. A. Yarmak thinks that, for example, the companies will not be able to cover purchase and storage prices this season by the onion purchased in the beginning of the harvest period for $0.23-0.25/kg. The thing is, right now it is possible to purchase wholesale shipments of onion for $0.11-0.13/kg from the producers in the southern regions of Ukraine.

The more detailed forecast for each crop will be presented during the conference.