The season of selling the first Ukrainian strawberries has started in Transcarpathia, and they have already begun to be sold in local markets. Despite the fact that over the past month, Ukrainian consumers have been able to buy only imported berries from Spain and Greece, now fresh domestic products from greenhouses located mainly in the Vynohradiv district have appeared on the shelves, ProAgro Group reports.

In Transcarpathia, greenhouse strawberry cultivation is a common thing. The Vynohradiv region, where many specialized farms are concentrated, has traditionally been the locomotive of berry production in the region. It is from there that the first Ukrainian strawberries, grown in controlled conditions, come, which allows you to get a harvest much earlier than in open ground.

“Currently, we only sell greenhouse strawberries — they are not from the field, but they are tasty, juicy and rich in vitamins. The price is 120 hryvnias per kilogram, but closer to mid-May it may drop to 100 or even 80 hryvnias,” says Mr. Vasyl, the owner of a small berry farm in Transcarpathia.

At the market in Khust, prices are somewhat higher — 150 hryvnias per kilogram. Ms. Iryna, one of the sellers, explains that she buys strawberries from wholesale suppliers from Vynohradiv, which also affects the final cost. She adds: “Spring this year is cold, unstable, and it is difficult for plants. Therefore, it is too early to expect a significant decrease in price. But the berries are already there, and that is pleasing.”

However, there is no excitement in the markets yet. Most buyers are waiting for the start of sales of strawberries from open ground, which are usually cheaper and have a characteristic “field” taste. Price forecasts vary: some experts say 50 hryvnias per kilogram during the peak harvest period, others say 25–30 hryvnias, but only for substandard products purchased for processing or freezing.

It is expected that with warming and active ripening of strawberries in open ground, the supply on the market will increase, which will contribute to a decrease in prices. However, the final price dynamics will depend not only on the volume of the harvest, but also on weather conditions in the coming weeks.