This week, analysts from the EastFruit project have noted a sharp decrease in prices for strawberries grown locally in Ukraine. The prevailing market scenario is primarily attributed to an influx of supply from farms located in the western regions of the country. Concurrently, growers report subdued consumer demand, influenced by subpar berry quality due to recent adverse weather conditions.
In response to heightened market competition, producers have been compelled to lower prices for strawberries, which are highly perishable. Previously, before the weekend, greenhouse strawberry farmers resisted selling for under 220–260 UAH/kg ($5.31–6.27/kg). However, with the onset of harvesting in the southern and western regions, and as strawberries from plastic tunnels became available, prices saw a reduction of up to 35%, now ranging from 120–190 UAH/kg ($2.90–4.59/kg) based on quality and batch volume.
It should be noted that the local strawberry supply has not yet reached its seasonal peak, with broader harvesting anticipated to commence in early June. Whether the decreasing price trend will persist remains uncertain, especially as growers from nearly all Ukrainian regions report frost-related losses of 30% to 100% of early strawberry varieties in April and May. This aspect could influence market trends moving forward.
Despite the current price reduction, strawberries continue to sell at an average of 45% more than the same period last year in Ukraine.
Source: EastFruit
