May 4 2007, 11:10

Table grape import to Ukraine grew thrice in first months of 2007

The analysts of ""Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal", the CIS produce business weekly periodical, inform about dramatically increased table grape import to Ukraine in the first months 2007. If compared to the same period of time in 2006, the growth of grape import increased several times.

It is worth mentioning that the rapid growth of table grape import to Ukraine in the first months of the year has been observed for the sixth year along in Ukraine. No grape import was recorded in winter months in 2001 in Ukraine. A relatively small shipment was imported in 2002 to the country; five times as much grape came to Ukraine in 2003. Grape import increased insignificantly in 2004; but it grew almost 8 times as much in 2005. The grape import growth was observed in 2006 (5 times as much) and in the beginning of 2007 (threefold).

To the opinion of the analysts of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal, two factors stimulated such situation. Several years along were characterized by poor grape harvest in Ukraine; at the same time, the population income increased together with the higher fruit and berry consumption consequently. Only insignificant growth of table grape import is possible in the season 2007/08 due to the forecasted growth of inner grape production in Ukraine. Also, the producers in the southern regions of Ukraine are actively extending grape cultivation areas - in three-four years this activity will result in the progressive growth of the quality table grape supply on Ukrainian market.