November 30 2007, 14:44

Decreased seasonal tariff rates for apple and pear are in effect since December 1st in Ukraine

The experts of CIS produce business weekly "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" inform that the decreased seasonal tariff rates for apple and pear imports will be in effect starting from December 1st on the territory of Ukraine. The import tariff rates for apple and pear will amount to 5% till March 31st inclusive. The tariff rates are EUR 0.5 April till November in our country.

However, to the opinion of Andriy Yarmak, the head of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" project, the decreased tariff rates won't result this year in the sharp oversupply of apples and the dramatic price decrease on the country market. "The prices for apple and pear may decrease only in the expensive segment; at the same time, the prices for the apple of medium quality will stay on the same level. Moreover, in the second half of December we expect the price growth trend for apples to resume. This trend will last till the end of season", Andriy Yarmak says.

Despite of the dramatically declined apple harvest in Poland, Polish apple will be supplied to Ukrainian market anyway. The thing is, the apples of Idared varieties are mainly produced in Poland for the means of exports to Ukraine and Russia - there is almost no demand for such varieties on the inner market of Poland and other EU countries. At the present moment it is possible to buy Idared apples of good quality for $ 0.8-0.96/kg. So, even the legally imported apple to Ukraine will be sold for $1.3-1.5/kg in wholesale. The retail price may reach $1.6-2/kg and more. Apple of smaller size and less quality may be sold for $0.9-1.1/kg in wholesale in the western regions of Ukraine. The prices for apples of the family of Jonagold varieties may be a little bit lower. The prices for Golden Delicious variety may be 30% and more high. The similar trends are observed on pear market which production was also reduced in Poland.

We'd like to point out that during the wholesale-retail center in the framework of the fourth international conference "Fruits and Vegetables of Ukraine 2007. Meeting New Leader" all conference participants will be able to conduct business negotiations with the leading suppliers of apples and pears from Poland who have already confirmed their participation. Ukrainian apple producers will be able to meet with the purchasers of the supermarket chains, restaurant chains and wholesale companies.

The application form for participation in this event is here.