July 18 2007, 09:08

"Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" decreases the forecast of cabbage production in 2007 in Ukraine

The analysts of ""Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" have reconsidered the April forecast of cabbage production in Ukraine with the account to the influence of weather conditions to vegetable plantings in May-July 2007. The analysis of situation in various regions proved that cabbage plantings in many areas have severely suffered from drought and high temperature. That's why the forecast of cabbage production was reduced 8%, or more than 120,000 tons. The experts of the periodical admit the possibility of another decrease of cabbage production forecast in August.

At the present moment we expect the cabbage harvest to approximately stay on the past year level (or even to decline 2-3%) despite of the rather significant (8-10%) growth of the cultivation areas of this crop. The cabbage plantings have suffered the most significantly in the central and southern regions of the country. Cabbage is normally produced on non-irrigated areas in the central regions, that's why, many producers lost a part of planted cabbage during the drought. Cabbage was injured by air drought on the South of Ukraine. The same problems were observed on the East of Ukraine.

The cabbage plantings stood drought and heat, but they got weakened, so that the yield potential has significantly declined. Cabbage plantings are in more or less good state in Polissya agri-climatic zone; however, there were large local problems caused by drought.

Now it is obvious that Ukraine may start the new season with the increased prices for cabbage. In addition to the possible production decline, the factor of the active export of early cabbage from Ukraine to Russian market plays its role too. Also, quality cabbage may be even more demanded than in the previous season. The supplies of cheap cabbage from Poland will somewhat press the cabbage prices in Ukraine down; the production growth of this crop is observed now in that country. ""Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" plans to carry out the more detailed analysis of the situation with cabbage and other produce crops in September 2007.