December 11 2007, 08:58

European Union increases fruit imports with the growth rates 940 tons/day

According to estimations of the analysts of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits", at the present moment European Union is the most dynamically developing market for the foreign fruit suppliers. Relatively stable production tends to decline on the background of the increasing wellbeing of the population, primarily in the countries - new EU members. As a result, the imports of fruits & vegetables sharply increase. According to the forecasts done by the analysts of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits", the difference between fruit imports and exports in 2007 may reach 10,000 tons in EU-27.

Taking into account the rates of imports growth in the recent five years, we see that the demand for imported fruits daily increases on 970 tons in the EU. To the opinion of Andriy Yarmak, the head of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits", the increasing demand for fruits in the EU is a perfect opportunity for Ukrainian producers of fruits and vegetables, who are actively investing now to new orchards, berry beds and vineyards. "According to our estimations, only in 2007 around 17-20,000 ha of orchards and vineyards is to be established in Ukraine. New plantations will be mostly intensive. The rates of new orchards establishment may even increase next year", the expert says. That's why in 2008-2009 we can expect for the significant increase of fruit and berry production in Ukraine, and in three-five years Ukraine will start regular fruit supplies to the EU countries.