Ukraine: High prices for imported fruit

In Ukraine, pears, grapes, mandarins and oranges currently stand at more or less stable prices, alth…

In Ukraine, pears, grapes, mandarins and oranges currently stand at more or less stable prices, although tasty seasonal novelties that have recently hit the shelves, like feijoa, kiwis and pomegranates, are not so readily accessible because of their really high cost for consumers. For example, figs cost 25 UAH* per unit, and Azerbaijani juicy persimmons cost 80 UAH per kilo.

Fruit vendors argue that such products cannot cost less, because they are not grown in Ukraine; it all depends on the dollar. Another reason for the high cost of overseas figs, kiwifruit or persimmon is their seasonality.

In fact, not only imported fruits and berries are expensive, but also Ukrainian pickles. Growers admit that this year they had to raise prices because of crop losses. There has also been an increase in the price of pumpkins, which have reached 30 UAH per kilo, and fresh cabbage, marketed for 9-10 UAH per kilo. In the case of other vegetables, including beets, carrots and onions, sellers have promised not to raise prices, since this year's harvest has been quite good.