December 21 2007, 08:57

Ukraine: fruits for New Year celebration will be 35% more expensive

According to estimations of the market monitoring specialists of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" weekly, Ukrainians will have to spend in average 35% more money than a year ago to buy fruits for the New Year holidays. The experts say, the main reason for the prices to increase is poor harvest in the majority of the countries-producers.

Oranges and tangerines are traditionally the most popular fruits for the New Year holidays - they have got in average 34% and 43% respectively more expensive comparing to the previous year. The prices for lemons are still 2.2 times as high than a year ago; however, much less lemons are consumed during New Year holidays. The reason of the price increase is poor harvest in major countries - suppliers. Bananas are almost always present on the holiday table - these fruits have got 20-25% more expensive this year because of the same reason - the declined banana production in Ecuador.

Ukrainian traditional apple varieties have also got expensive this year despite of the increased inner production. The most popular varieties, like Idared, Golden Delicious and Jonagold, have got in average 30-40% more expensive because of the dramatically declined apple production in Poland. Poland is the main apple supplier on Ukrainian market in winter period. At the same time, there are still lots of Ukrainian and Moldovan low-quality apples on market - the prices for these products are often even lower than a year ago. However, such apple may be stored for not more than a week. Relatively inexpensive apple of Georgian origin will soon be supplied on market - this product will also be sold in the lower price segment.

The prices for pear have declined rather significantly comparing to the previous year. However, the specialists of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" observe, pear consumption in Ukraine have been remaining rather low in Ukraine in the recent years, if compared to bananas, citrus fruits and apples.