KIEV: In January 2016, Ukraine cut its apple imports by more than half compared to the same month of the previous year, reports Fruit-Inform. This year’s import volumes totalled just 3,000 tons against last year’s 6,600 tons.
Ukraine’s cumulative apple imports in the period from July 2015 to January 2016 totalled slightly less than 5,000 tons, a fall of 76% compared with the import volumes registered in the same period of the previous season (21,000 tons). Almost all apples imported by Ukraine came from the EU, and Poland accounted for 96% of Ukraine’s total imports.
Experts in the sector connect such a considerable fall in imports with the rather high supply of domestic apples in Ukraine. Moreover, Ukrainian apples are offered at significantly lower prices than imported produce, which increases demand for the local fruit.
Now Ukrainian growers are ready to ship their apples at UAH 5.50-12.00/kg (EUR 0.18-0.40/kg), depending on variety and quality, while imported produce is offered at UAH 10/kg (EUR 0.33/kg) and higher.
