Ukraine traditionally begins importing Chinese cabbage in late March and early April. This week, the country saw its first substantial imports coming in from Poland. The need to import comes from the seasonal decrease in supply of Ukrainian early cabbage. According to Shuvar, most Ukrainian producers hold Chinese cabbage in ordinary storages with cooling systems, but products can be stored in that way only until early spring. Then products usually start spoiling and that significantly affects the quality.
High demand for Chinese cabbage in spring does not last very long. Already in mid-April sales of Chinese cabbage are decreasing under the influence of increased supply of early cabbage and greenhouse cucumbers and tomatoes.Today, at the trading platform of WMAP "Shuvar", Western Ukraine's largest wholesale market, high quality Chinese cabbage is offered at 17-18 UAH/kg (0,58-0,15 EUR/kg), products of lesser quality are sold for 15-16 UAH/kg (0,51-0,62 EUR/kg). During the last week the price increased on average by 65% at “Shuvar”. Approximately by the same margin the price has risen at “Stolycnyi” in Kiev. Chinese cabbage is now sold there for 20-23 UAH/kg (0,68-0,79 EUR/kg).
Despite the jump in prices, it is quite difficult to find quality Chinese cabbage produced locally in Ukraine. That is why retail chains order Chinese cabbage from importers that are now offering high-quality product from Poland for 22-23 UAH/kg (0,75-0,79 EUR/kg). In addition, there were reports of cases of smuggling Polish Chinese cabbage. Such products often are of low quality and are offered to Ukraine at 18-20 UAH/kg (0,62-0,68 EUR/kg).
