The average wholesale prices for mandarins in Uzbekistan have decreased by 37% over the last week. Despite the sharp decline, current wholesale prices are 31% higher than last year’s levels. According to EastFruit analysts, the main reason for this is the reduction in the supply from Pakistan, which is the main supplier of mandarins to Uzbekistan.
According to EastFruit price monitoring, from 11 to 18 November 2022, the average wholesale price for mandarins in Uzbekistan decreased from 27 000 to 17 000 UZS/kg (from $2.41 to $1.52). Despite the sharp drop in prices, current levels are well above the average wholesale price recorded at the same date last year. As of November 18, 2021, the average wholesale price was 13 000 UZS/kg ($1.21).
According to EastFruit analysts, the main reason for higher mandarin prices compared to last year is the reduction in the supply of mandarins from Pakistan due to the loss of part of the crop caused by floods. This country is the main supplier of mandarins to Uzbekistan – Pakistan’s share in the total imports of mandarins in 2020-2021 was about 80%.
Monsoon rains accompanied by floods are a common natural phenomenon in South Asia, but the disaster has reached catastrophic proportions this year, affecting all regions of Pakistan. A feature of 2022 was the extreme rainfall that started in Pakistan in mid-June. The provinces in the west and south of the country were hardest hit, with about 400% more rainfall than the average for the past 30 years.
It caused great damage to the Pakistani economy. The country’s agriculture was seriously affected, with agricultural producers suffering huge losses due to the loss of many types of crops.
For more information: east-fruit.com