April 19 2006, 13:06

Water-melon seeds are sold out by record rates in Odesa oblast

An excited demand for water-melon seeds is observed in Odesa oblast. The representative of a large seed supplier informed "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal that the annual volume of water-melon seeds has been sold out during three weeks.

The analysts of the Agricultural Marketing Project observe a constant interest growth to water-melon production from the side of Odesa oblast growers. The interest has even increased on the background of the favorable prices 2005. The analysts forecast this crop acreage to extend 20-30% in 2006 in Odesa oblast. At the same time, the demand for water-melon seeds has exceeded the seed companies' expectations. Some market players assume that the demand growth was stimulated by the frost-killed grain plantings: these fields need to be replanted. A part of the producers seem to make a decision to resow cucurbits crops on some acreage.