Despite the abundance of inexpensive apples in the domestic market, the demand for bananas is constantly growing.

So, in March 2019, according to the latest reports of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine, in March this year, the country purchased 27 thousand tons of bananas from other states. This not only exceeds the figures for February, but also by 14% more than in March 2018.

It is noteworthy that the upward trend in import purchases of bananas has been observed since the beginning of the season. During the first 7 months of 2018/19 MY, the country imported 168 thousand tons of bananas. When compared with the same period of the previous season, the consumption of these fruits increased by 13%.

The trend towards an increase in banana consumption in Ukraine is alarming for members of the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association (UPAA). Bananas are the main competitors of apples in the consumer basket of Ukrainians. And this competition continues to grow, despite the large difference in price.

Although bananas are not grown in Ukraine, they have long ceased to be exotic for the population. Bananas are included in modern recipe books, they are bought for a snack. And they are “more convenient” than apples, including for small children, chief analyst of the UPRA Tatyana Smirnova comments on the situation.

The expert notes that the growth of banana imports is supported by a relatively stable situation in the foreign exchange market, which saves the product from sharp price hikes.