Borsch set has risen in price in Ukraine: why prices for vegetables are growing

In Ukraine, foodstuffs are rapidly becoming more expensive, and vegetables of the “borscht set” have grown significantly in price since the beginning of the year.

According to the State Statistics Service, only potatoes fell in price for Ukrainians.

Thus, from January to November, the cost increased:

• cabbage – from 4.97 UAH / kg to 8.31 UAH / kg – by 67.20%;
• onions – from 5.55 UAH / kg to 10.61 UAH / kg – by 91.17%;
• beets – from UAH 6.40 / kg to UAH 10.55 / kg – by 64.84%;
• carrots – from UAH 6.34 / kg to UAH 9.19 / kg – by 44.95%.

At the same time, potatoes fell in price by 22.71%. In January it cost UAH 11.14 / kg, and in November it cost UAH 8.61 / kg.

Why are vegetables becoming more expensive?

President of the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association (UPOA) Taras Bashtannik said that the 2.6-fold increase in the price of vegetables for borsch set is due to a number of factors.

According to him, the prices for vegetables were influenced by unfavorable conditions for vegetable growers and difficult weather conditions, which have developed this year and influenced the cultivation and harvest of farmers.

“The third factor is the rise in prices for all components of vegetable production, which, by the way, will continue to rise in price. We are talking about electricity, fertilizers, plant protection products, fuels and lubricants, etc. All this, together with a lower gross harvest, has led to increase in prices for products not only borsch set, but also for other types of vegetables “, – notes the President of the UPOA.

Also, prices are influenced by rise in prices for global logistics services – both land and sea. This makes it difficult to stabilize prices through cheap imports. In addition, many agricultural producers now hold on to their harvest, not selling it on the market.

“This, firstly, is explained by the behavioral characteristics of the Ukrainian farmer, who sees the rise in prices today and believes that they will continue to grow. But very often this plays a cruel joke with producers. After all, the quality of storage of vegetables in Ukraine is not the best of – due to the lack of capacity for long-term storage. Therefore, when our farmers put, for example, carrots for storage in October, they can be stored qualitatively until February. , – Taras Bashtannik explains.

He also explained the prices for potatoes, which suddenly fell in price. This is associated with large leftovers the harvest of the current season, which seemed to be quite good.

“This example, by the way, can serve as a reduction in prices for certain vegetables of the borsch set on the Ukrainian market next year. After all, given a rather attractive price on the market, farmers can begin to increase the area under certain vegetable crops. As a result, this will lead to an increase in the gross harvest and, accordingly offers on the market “, – says Bashtannik.

What else will rise in price?

By the New Year, the price for the New Year’s table of Ukrainians will rise by 20%. The expert predicts a rise in prices for tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. Vegetables of the “borscht set” will cost more.

“Although beets, carrots, onions, cabbage will not rise so much by the end of the year – by 10%. But onions may rise in price at a record. Compared to last year, by 2.5 times. In addition, the price of meat will rise. Pork – by 20%, and chicken – by 10% “, – predicts the head of the Union of Ukrainian Peasantry Ivan Tomich.

We previously reported that food prices will rise even more in the country in 2022. Ukrainians will have to pay 22-25% more for food.

Let us remind you that in Ukraine the price of tomatoes fell to a 5-year low. At the end of November, tomatoes cost 15-20 UAH / kg, although in previous years the price tag rose to 23-29 UAH / kg.