Prices for fruit rise to unprecedented highs in Ukraine
Due to the negative impact of recent weather conditions, prices for fruit and berries have risen to historic highs in Ukraine. Wholesale prices for garden strawberries grew the most, by 61.5% on average as of early June.
“Despite the decline in consumer income as a result of the coronavirus-related crisis, prices for fruit and berries on the Ukrainian market are now at historic highs,” according to the press service of the Ukrainian Horticultural Association (UHA).
Several waves of frost, the latest recorded as late as in the second half of May, have destroyed large parts of the crops. “Therefore, the supply of strawberries fell sharply compared to last year, and prices remain high. The situation is complicated by the cool and cloudy weather in most production regions, which delays the berry ripening season,” reads the report.
The prices of black cherries also rose sharply in Ukraine since the bulk of its crop had been destroyed due to frost. Read also Analysts estimate prices of borsch vegetable kit in Ukraine’s regions Apple prices remained high throughout the season due to production cuts in 2019. To date, stocks of apples have almost been exhausted, so imports dominate the market, albeit at higher prices due to increased demand in Europe.
Prices of pears, most of which are imported, have grown by 30-35% against last year. As for exotic fruits, banana prices grew the least – by only 2-4%. Lemon prices are now 25% higher on average than last year, while oranges are 40% more expensive. Demand rose sharply in the midst of the coronavirus epidemic, so prices remain quite high. Increased supplies of apricots are expected from Turkey, Uzbekistan and Spain in the near future.
“Unfortunately, apricot orchards in Ukraine have also been severely affected by frosts, so the crop of our own stone fruits will be extremely low. Of course, we should not expect low prices for apricots this season,” the UHA said.
Source: EastFruit