Rising Prices for Greenhouse Cucumbers in Ukraine: Causes and Outlook
This week, Ukraine is witnessing a notable increase in the cost of greenhouse-grown cucumbers, a development driven by changes in the domestic market and seasonal fluctuations in supply.
According to analysis from EastFruit, the situation is primarily caused by reduced supply and heightened consumer demand for fresh produce during a period of limited availability.
As of September 18, the price for greenhouse cucumbers in Ukrainian farms ranged between 25 and 45 hryvnias per kilogram, averaging a 19% increase compared to the end of the previous week.
Experts point out that the price hike is influenced by several factors simultaneously: first, the near absence of open-field produce, which normally supplements market supply; second, adverse weather conditions — cold and overcast — significantly decreased production volumes in greenhouse complexes, resulting in a supply shortage in the market.
Despite the increase, cucumber prices remain approximately 29% lower than in the same period last year.
However, many market players do not rule out further growth in price driven by active consumer demand and seasonal reduction in greenhouse vegetable supplies.
While last week saw a decrease in cabbage prices, the current situation with cucumbers reflects typical seasonal price fluctuations, which producers and traders need to consider.
Experts forecast that if demand continues to grow and weather conditions worsen, cucumber prices could rise further, impacting farmers’ revenues and consumer costs.