Since the beginning of this week, watermelon prices in Ukraine have already dropped by a third, according to analysts of the EastFruit project, UNN reports.
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"Improved weather conditions almost throughout the country have allowed Ukrainian watermelon producers to resume active harvesting, which has led to an increase in the supply of this product on the market. Additionally, producers in all regions of Ukraine, both in the central and western regions, have already started harvesting melons," the publication reports.
As indicated, prices for watermelons on the domestic market have already dropped to 3-8 UAH/kg ($0.07-0.19/kg), which is on average 30% cheaper than at the end of the last business week.
Producers explain the negative price dynamics by a sharp increase in the supply of these melons on the market. According to farmers, the situation is further complicated by the fact that the bulk of the supply is made up of large-caliber products, the demand for which is rather weak. Wholesale companies and retail chains are reducing purchases of such watermelon to a minimum, citing extremely slow retail sales.
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If we compare the situation on the watermelon market in Ukraine with other countries in the monitoring region, this product remains more affordable only in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, which is traditional.
It is noted that currently watermelon in Ukraine is already 60% cheaper on average than in early August 2023. Moreover, industry experts do not predict a significant improvement in the market. According to them, only the owners of high quality watermelons will be able to raise prices, and the supply of such products on the market is quite limited.
"At the same time, prices for watermelons weighing more than 5 kg will continue to be low, as farmers will make concessions to buyers, thus trying to accelerate the pace of sales of existing volumes of products," the publication points out.