December 25 2006, 10:58

Poland becomes major importer of Ukrainian onion

According to information of the analysts of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal, the unique produce business periodical of Ukraine, in July-October 2006 Ukraine has exported around 800 tons of bulb onion worth to the total sum of $ 1.1 mln., the official statistics says. This is a new record of onion export from Ukraine. Nevertheless, to the experts' opinion, the real volumes of onion export were greater than the official records.

The statistical information confirms the data of trade sources about onion export channles of Ukraine. Poland was the main onion importer in this period of time. Around 75% of all shipments accrued to Poland. Around 22% of onion were supplied to Belarus and Russia. One more small shipment was delivered to Estonia. At the same time, market players imform about Ukrainian onion export to Netherlands and other EU countries; there is also information about large-scale onion supplies to Russia.

According to the forecasts of the Agricultural Marketing Project, this year Ukraine will be able to export 1,300-1,500 tons of onion worth to the total sum of up to $ 2 mln. This season will differ by the fact that onion export is likely to continue in January-April; traditionally, in the previous years Ukraine was net importer. Taking into account onion oversupply on market, the volumes of export supplies can even somewhat increase in the beginning of 2007. It seems possible on the background of a great interest expressed by Dutch and Polish traders to onion purchases in Ukraine at the present moment. The growth of onion export to Russia is also expected, as well as the extention of supply geography on the other countries.

To the opinion of Andriy Yarmak, the Deputy Director of the Agricultural Marketing Project, this season the onion exporters have gained a very important experience which will be useful for all produce business of Ukraine. Ukrainian vegetable producers constantly face the problems of the dramatic price drops in years when the production of the certain vegetables exceeds the demand of inner market. It is the case, because the producers lack the experience of the export supplies of excessive stocks. Having learned how to sort and pack produce according to the requirements of the EU countries, the wholesalers will be able to apply this knowledge also to enhance the efficiency of onion and other vegetable sales on the inner market of Urkaine.