REUTERS
Staple imports were citrus fruits, bananas, and other exotic fruits.
Ukraine continued boosting fruit imports in 2020.
"In the first half of 2020, Ukraine purchased various fruits and berries abroad to the tune of US$341 million, which was 23% higher than the figure for the corresponding period last year," the press service of National Scientific Center "Institute of Agrarian Economics said.
Read alsoPrices for fruit, berries rise to historic highs in Ukraine
Staple imports were citrus fruits, bananas, and other exotic fruits.
In the six months, Ukrainian companies imported 182,000 tonnes of citrus fruits worth US$129 million, as well as 174,000 tonnes of bananas worth US$96 million.
Turkey (19.9%), Ecuador (17.1%), Egypt (10.0%), Costa Rica (6.9%), and Spain (5.3%) were among Ukraine's leading fruit suppliers. They were followed by Greece (4.0%) and Colombia (3.3%).
Experts from the Institute of Agrarian Economics emphasize that the coronavirus pandemic has contributed to an increase in demand and, accordingly, a rise in fruit imports.
In addition, trade restrictions introduced along with the quarantine in most cases relate to exports from Ukraine, while there are fewer artificial barriers to food imports.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine exported fruits and berries worth US$95 million in the first half of 2020, which was 18% down year-on-year.