Information for fruit and vegetables business in CIS
Ukrainian strawberry production to grow despite frosts and cold spring
In 2015 Ukrainian strawberry production will grow by 3% year-on-year despite a cold spell in the first half of spring as well as cold and rainy weather in the spring period, said Ms. Tetiana Getman, Head of Fruit-Inform at the 6th International Conference «Berries of Ukraine-2015: Frozen Produce & Fresh Market».
«Ukrainian producers of field-grown strawberries have reported of partial losses of their crop due to a cold spell in the first half of spring», she said. «Nevertheless, we expect Ukrainian strawberry production to grow year-on-year in the current season thanks to commercial growers' larger areas, which have compensated generally negative trends in average yields».
Strawberries remain the leader in expansion of commercial areas and a decrease in average annual prices among all berries. Furthermore, strawberry exports are expected to reach record high in the current season.
«Despite later start of the strawberry sales in Ukraine due to cold spring, the Ukrainian strawberry export season was record early with many large farms to have immediately shipped their strawberries for export. Ukraine stands a good chance to raise its strawberry exports in the current season thanks to a decrease in strawberry prices in the USD equivalent, which is connected with the devaluation of the national currency in Ukraine», Ms. Getman said.