Greenhouse tomato prices in Ukraine have resumed a downward trend this week, according to analysts at the EastFruit project. Weather conditions in many regions have stabilised, enabling the resumption of harvesting for both open-field and greenhouse tomatoes. Harvesting is now taking place across most of the country, increasing market supply while, according to farmers, consumer demand remains low.
Current prices for high-quality tomatoes range from UAH 40–55/kg (US$0.96–1.32/kg), averaging 12% lower than at the end of last week. Growers and wholesale companies report that selling open-field tomatoes is challenging due to lower quality. Plants are experiencing drought and heat stress, and fruits are often damaged by sunburn and cracking, reducing their marketable quality.
Despite the recent decline, greenhouse tomatoes are still selling on the Ukrainian market at prices that are, on average, 69% higher than at the same time last year. Producers attribute this to a reduction in domestic production.
Source: EastFruit