April 23 2007, 12:07

Polish apple suppliers try to avoid high import tariff rates in Ukraine

According to information provided by Polish periodicals, Polish suppliers of dessert apples try to avoid paying high import tariff rates; they supply apples through Lithuania. But, Lithuania is neither the member of CIS nor the member of the free trade zone created in the framework of CIS. That's why the analysts of ""Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal " think this information is probably a mistake. Theoretically, Polish apples can reach our market only through the territory of Belarus, if the suppliers try to avoid the import tariff rates. But, the suppliers are unlikely to choose this way, as they have to pay the import tariff rates efficient on the territory of Belarus as well.

At the same time the analysts inform that Polish apples are still present on the market of Ukraine, despite of the seasonal increase of the import tariff rate for apples and pears starting from April the 1st 2007. The price for this product has not significantly increased yet, so there is a doubt if the import tariff rate was paid to supply apples toUkrainian market. The tariff rate along is around $0.8/kg, VAT inclusive. The wholesale price for the quality apple is fluctuating now $0.42-0.5/kg on Polish market. If the suppliers of Polish apple bring the product to Ukrainian market paying all tariff rates, the price for such apple will not be lower than $1.6/kg.