Ukrainian agroholdings are facing challenges in the vegetable market that demand careful approaches and strategic planning. The high price of cabbage initially inspired one of the holdings, which owns 50,000 hectares of land, to cultivate this crop. However, prices rapidly decreased, leading the company to incur losses. Cabbage is a high-risk crop, and experts note that the oversupply of cabbage indicates low demand for it.
Experts warn that the technologies and strategies that work for grains are not suitable for vegetable crops. The result of such an imprudent strategy has been overproduction in the summer, an inability to store the produce, low prices, and a shortage of domestic vegetables in the winter and spring. Almost every product has seen a price drop of 10-30% compared to the same period last year.
This includes carrots, which, after reaching a historical high this season, have experienced a marked price decrease. Household supplies are currently increasing, and wholesale prices range from 0.20-0.25 euros per kg, which is 77% lower than last year. Towards the middle and end of autumn, prices may stabilize at 0.33-0.45 euros per kg.
According to the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club, there is an abundance of beets, and wholesale prices will remain within last year's range, from 0.23 to 0.38 euros per kg.
Climatic conditions favor comfortable vegetable cultivation in new areas. Technologies allow for increased yields. However, experts advise agroholdings not to rush into expanding their vegetable acreage but to stick with their current practices and ensure stable supplies to supermarkets. Prices in the spring may be more favorable with proper product storage.
Overall, there was no shortage of vegetables in Ukraine in the spring, thanks to imports. Farmers must intelligently plan production and storage to ensure stable prices and product availability even in the face of market fluctuations.
Source: agrotimes.ua
