Border blockade sparks rise in fruit prices for Ukrainian New Year celebrations

The pricing dynamics of fruits commonly bought by Ukrainians for their New Year’s celebrations will be influenced by the border blockade. Presently, these fruits are already more expensive than they were last year, as reported by Tatiana Popovich, the Head of Marketing at the “Shuvar” wholesale agricultural market in Lviv.

Popovich attributes part of the increased costs of imported fruits to the border blockade initiated by Polish transporters. Due to the closure of border checkpoints, imports from Europe are forced to take longer routes, resulting in a notable 2-2.5 times surge in transportation expenses. Consequently, this surge in transportation costs directly impacts the retail prices of imported goods. Despite the rise in delivery expenses, the prices of fruits themselves have shown an uneven increase. For instance, the current price range for a single mango stands between 180-300 UAH, marking a 25% surge compared to the same period last year, as disclosed by Popovich.

Regarding mandarins, their season is currently active, suggesting that their prices should not experience significant hikes. However, oranges and grapefruits face a transitional period. With the end of the African season for these fruits and the beginning of the season in Spain and Turkey, grapefruits are priced at 65-75 UAH per kilogram, marking a 12% increase from last year. Meanwhile, oranges are being sold at 58-70 UAH per kilogram, reflecting a 10% hike compared to last year’s prices. Anticipated imports from Spain and Turkey closer to the New Year are expected to drive these prices down in the Ukrainian market.