Price perspectives for early apple market in Ukraine

The harvesting of early apple varieties has already started in some regions of Ukraine. The wholesale prices fluctuate US$0.6/kg to US$1/kg at the present moment; this price is almost 30% more expensive than at the same period of time past season. The price growth takes place on the background of the expectations for the apple harvest to increase in 2007.
The neighboring Poland severely suffered from early frosts; at the present moment apple is sold there at the same price as in Ukraine. This price is much higher than in 2006. The processors also increased the purchase price almost 40-45% comparing to the previous year. The market players think that commercial apple in 2007 will cost not less than US$0.22/kg.
The Ukrainian agriculture analysts think that the dramatic decline of Polish apple supply on Ukrainian market may lead to the significant growth of the inner prices for this fruit in the new season. The thing is, inner production won't be able to fully satisfy the growing demand. Meanwhile the price growth for commercial apple may significantly decline this season because of the pressure caused by Chinese apple concentrate on market. We'd like to remind that past season Ukrainian processors paid US$0.12-0.16/kg for commercial apples.
Source : "Agrooglyad : Vegetables and Fruits"