On the EastFruit Trade Platform last week, the number of listings decreased by 10% due to seasonal factors, though the geographic reach of participants expanded to include 13 countries. Supply from Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Egypt, and Iran saw a reduction, while Poland and North Macedonia showed increased activity. Listings from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, and Romania resurfaced. The top five countries by the number of listings remained Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Iran, and Poland.
In the vegetable market, there was an increase in potato supply, making potatoes the top-selling product on the platform. Ukraine and Egypt were the most active in potato sales. However, sales of other "borscht basket" vegetables declined. The number of cucumber sellers increased, with new listings from Uzbekistan and Romania. Radishes were less frequently offered than the previous week. Chinese cabbage and garlic had fairly active sales.
In the fruit market, the apple supply decreased, yet apple sales continued to dominate. Strawberry listings from Uzbekistan boosted their sales position, with Greek suppliers also active in trading strawberries. However, spring frosts in Ukraine threatened the early fruit harvest, impacting growers in Poland and Moldova as well.
The highest demand on the platform was for beetroots. Participants also actively purchased other borscht-basket vegetables, radishes, and cucumbers. Reflecting on the previous year, onions were the top seller, and half of the white cabbage offered was from the new harvest. The supply of Chinese cabbage and fresh herbs was on the rise, with apples dominating the fruit segment.
In Uzbekistan, potato prices started to decline, with new-crop potatoes and onions entering the market. Early onions are now available in the capital's supermarkets. Prices for last season's onions are rising, while tomatoes are sold cheaper than the previous week. Cucumber prices collapsed sharply. Among fruits, the price range for pears narrowed, while mandarins widened. Oranges became cheaper, and the first strawberry offers appeared, though volumes remain low, resulting in a large price spread.
Source: EastFruit