Over the past week, average wholesale prices for melons in Uzbekistan increased by 52%, which is the highest weekly gain from early July to early December 2021, and current prices are almost 3 times higher than on the same date in 2020, EastFruit analysts say.
From early July to late November 2021, average wholesale prices for melons in Uzbekistan ranged from 1100 to 2300 UZS/kg (from $0.10 to $0.21). For comparison, their average wholesale prices ranged from 800 to 2200 UZS/kg (from $0.09 to $0.23) in the same period 2019-2020.
However, the average wholesale prices increased from 2300 to 3500 UZS/kg (from $0.21 to $0.33) from November 25 to December 2, 2021, i.e. by 52% in a week. The current wholesale prices are 2.9 times higher than the same date in 2020 and 75% higher than the same date in 2019.
Taking into account the seasonal increase in melon prices in December and on the eve of the New Year holidays, the maximum wholesale prices for melons in Uzbekistan in previous years were recorded at the end of December at the following levels: in 2019 – 3000 UZS/kg ($0.32), in 2020 – 1100 UZS/kg ($0.11). Accordingly, the current wholesale prices are at least 17% higher than the pre-New Year levels of previous years.
As for the influence of foreign markets, according to EastFruit analysts, it can hardly be considered the main factor for such a jump in prices. The volume of melon exports from Uzbekistan in November 2021 was 50% higher than the same period in 2020. But the absolute value was quite low – 1318 tonnes against 877 tonnes. In addition, the season of peak exports of melons from Uzbekistan lasts from June to October – the total share of these five months accounts for about 95% of the annual export volume.
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