July 9 2007, 16:03

Ukraine: blueberry prices stay high and may grow even higher

The prices for blueberry remain high despite of the expected growth of blueberry harvest. Market players provide this information to the analysts of ""Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits".

One week ago the purchase price for wild blueberry corresponded to the expectations of market players - they stayed on the level of $2-2.4/kg; however, the deterioration of weather conditions led to the declined supply of this berry. The prices started to grow. At the present moment the purchase price increased up to $2.8-3/kg. The buyers feel suspicious as they fear the problems with sales observed past year. Also, the blueberry quality has started deteriorating in the recent days after heavy rainfalls.

We'd like to also point out that the prices for wild blueberry beat all records this year in Poland. At the present moment the purchase prices for blueberry reached $4/kg. The blueberry pickers earn up to $400 for one family a day due to such high prices, so that many people are attracted by this business opportunity. Due to the increased number of pickers the prices have recently somewhat stabilized; they even have declined on $06-1/kg in several regions. However, some market players share the opinion that the prices are likely to start growing soon.