May 4 2007, 09:01

Apple import to Ukraine will be top record this season

According to the forecasts of the analysts of ""Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal", Ukraine will legally import 160-180 thousands tons of apples in the marketing season 2006/07 (July to June). This will be a new record of apple import in the country history. According to the official statistics, 105 thousands tons of apples were supplied to Ukraine past season.

The journal analysts evaluate that the real volume of apple import is greater than the officially declared volume due to the apple import from Poland, Moldova and other countries in April-June and also in November, when no tariff duties were paid. That's why, according to evaluations of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal, apple import to Ukraine may exceed 200,000 tons this season.

We'd like to point out that the apple import geography has also significantly extended this season. Poland retained the position of the largest apple supplier; this country performed more than a half of all shipments of imported apples. Moldova, Italy, Greece, France, China, Netherlands and Spain were the other large suppliers. Fairly large apple shipments of Georgian, Hungarian, Chilean, Turkish and Belgian origin were also recorded on Ukrainian market. What is notable, Macedonia and Serbia have also joined the list of countries-suppliers.

According to the forecasts of Andriy Yarmak, the Manager of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" project, apple import to Ukraine may decline next season. To the expert's opinion, the main reason for apple import decline will be the increasing supplies of marketable dessert apples of the national origin. The thing is, the inner apple production and the intensive orchards' share in the apple orchards structure are expected to grow in the country.