THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE MARKET IN UKRAINE UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF MARTIAL STATE

Abstract

The article examines the state and problems of functioning domestic fruit and vegetable market in the conditions of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine. It is noted that powerful agricultural enterprises cannot operate in the occupied territories, the enemy purposefully destroys agricultural machinery and large warehouses of products, also steals Ukrainian food supplies. More than 30% of agricultural fields were not sown in 2022. One-third of the stocks including main types of vegetables and fruits were compensated by harvesting in territories free from occupation. But the most difficult situation turned out to be with watermelons and melons in Kherson, and it was also completely impossible to arrange deliveries of Melitopol cherries on the market. Thanks to imports from Poland, Holland, Turkey and other countries, it was possible to fill the lack of stocks of last season's products and vegetables of the new harvest. The price range for most types of vegetables in the "borshch set" and popular fruits in the consumer basket of Ukrainians is presented. More stable price situation developed for potatoes and beets. Moreover, the leader in price growth was onion. The price of bananas and citrus fruits rose significantly, but the large harvest of domestic apples and blueberries led to a drop in prices. According to analyzed data, reasons for significant stagnation of fruit and vegetable market in Ukraine were: occupation of the main agricultural regions of our country, military blockade of domestic seaports, rapid increase in fuel prices, the increase in costs for internal and external logistics as well as significant devaluation of national currency. Possible ways to solve existing problems of the market at this stage are presented as: improving the efficiency of using all land suitable for agricultural production, including the implementation of the all-Ukrainian campaign "Gardens of Victory", involvement of specialized foreign associations of vegetable and fruit producers in conducting the growing and harvesting season (ensuring seeds, plant protection products, arrangement of warehouses for storage, etc.).