Sharp increase in melon prices in Ukraine: causes and consequences

In Ukraine, there is a significant increase in the price of melons, which affects consumers on the market. According to the latest data, prices for this melon crop have almost doubled. This phenomenon can be explained by a number of factors that significantly influenced the formation of prices.

Tetyana Popovych, head of the marketing department of the wholesale market of agricultural products "Shuvar" in Lviv, notes that one of the key factors affecting the price of melons is the end of the harvesting season. Most producers have completed the harvesting process, but demand for products remains consistently high. This imbalance between supply and demand significantly affects market prices.

Popovych also emphasizes that the war in Ukraine changed the regions of melon supply, which became another factor in the shortage. The main production regions, in particular the southern part of the country, such as the Kherson region, suffered significant losses due to military actions and occupation, which significantly reduced the harvest and supply of melons. Other regions, such as Transcarpathia and Odesa Oblast, were able to partially offset the deficit, but not in full.

Comparing the prices of melons this year with last year's, Popovych found that the increase in value can be explained by several factors. In particular, with a deficit against the background of the war, as the main supply region (part of the Kherson region) was occupied and damaged, as well as an increase in logistics costs, which occurs in conditions of inflation.

Today, at the Shuvar wholesale market, melons are sold at an average price of UAH 50/kg, which is 17.6% higher compared to the same period last year. This indicates serious changes in the price policy on the market of agricultural products.

For consumers, prices vary depending on retail chains. For example, in the "Silpo" network, melons can be purchased for 69.0 hryvnias per kilogram, while at "EKOMARKET" the price is 39.90 hryvnias per kilogram, and "Novus" offers the product for 42.99 hryvnias per 1 kg. Melon prices vary significantly depending on the place of sale, which can affect consumer choice.

Thus, the increase in melon prices in Ukraine was the result of many economic and social factors. Consumers should be prepared for possible price fluctuations in the near future, as well as pay attention to product quality when making purchases.