Watermelons for 19, melons for 85: when to expect a decrease in prices for seasonal fruits

In mid-July, markets and supermarkets in Ukraine began to sell watermelons and melons actively, but the prices for these popular summer fruits did not decrease as consumers had hoped. The cost of products remains diverse: from attractive promotions to inflated prices in certain chains.

According to data as of July 15, the most affordable watermelons are offered by the Metro and EKO Market chains – 19.88 UAH and 19.90 UAH per kilogram, respectively. In other supermarkets, prices fluctuate: in Novus and Auchan, about 23 UAH/kg, and Silpo, 28.50 UAH. The highest price was recorded at Fruit Time, where watermelons cost more than 30 UAH/kg.

Melons are also not cheap. The most favorable offer can be found at EKO Market – 49.90 UAH per kg, but in other supermarkets, the prices fluctuate decently within 70-85 UAH. For example, in Novus — 74.99 UAH, in Auchan — 85.50 UAH, and the record price in Fruit Time — 85.90 UAH per kilogram.

Why aren’t prices going down? Experts say that although the peak of prices for vegetables and fruits has passed (falling in June), the weather conditions in the spring had a substantial impact on the harvest. Late frosts hurt stone crops, which, in turn, affected the volume of goods on the market.

Head of the analytical direction of “ANTS”, Ilya Neskhodovsky, predicts that in July, we can hope for a slight decrease in prices, but a significant drop should not be expected. According to data from the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation, prices for fruits and berries increased by an average of 21–25% over the past year.

However, experts assure that the season is still ongoing, and watermelons and melons will continue to appear on sale. It is recommended to shop carefully, keep an eye out for special offers, especially on weekdays, and don’t forget about markets where prices may be lower than in supermarkets.