May 3 2007, 09:41

Ukrainian strawberry to enter country market one month earlier than Polish product this year

The production of early strawberry is developing by fast rates in Ukraine. The analysts of ""Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal", the periodical of CIS produce business, say that Ukrainian producers of extra-early strawberry have made a great step forward this season - they supplied first shipments of national greenhouse product as soon as in the first half of April.

The experts point out that mostly imported produce is still sold on Polish market. At the same time, Poland is one of the largest producers and exporters of strawberry in Europe. However, Polish producers generally focus on the seasonal produce grown by the traditional methods.

Polish strawberry producers succeed getting a fairly good profit past year due to the introduction of the anti-dumping duties for the frozen strawberry of Chinese origin. That's why, to the opinion of the analysts of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal, the production of field strawberry may grow in Poland in 2007. Also, warm spring will favor the earlier start of the harvesting season. Polish farmers - strawberry growers face only one serious problem, that is a severe lack of labor resources.