The director of the Ukrainian association of retail chain suppliers, Alexey Doroshenko considers that the rise in fruit and vegetable prices in some stores is the result of them losing the battle for customers, as he stated to a correspondent from GolosUA.
“Yes, prices are rising. But it is not certain if the growth in fruit and vegetable prices can be directly observed in all stores. There are hundreds of fruit and vegetable suppliers, it is difficult to negotiate with them all, they don’t increase the prices simultaneously,” explained Doroshenko
At the same time, the expert noted that such a practice of simultaneous price increases has been observed earlier.
“Now such a thing is not happening. Vendors have begun to ‘fight’ for customers. So while those who are in a more difficult economic situation raise prices, other sellers can still afford to hold them,” said Doroshenko.
The expert added that the vegetables and fruits are being placed in storage where they will remain all winter, but in Ukraine there are very few storage facilities.
“Accordingly, some vendors raise the prices slightly, because they need to pay employee wages or taxes. Yet, others wait, placing the produce in storage and waiting for prices to rise even more,” concluded Doroshenko
