Ukraine imports 7.2 tonnes of sturgeon roe worth US$1.27 mln in 11 months

Ukraine imported 7.2 tonnes of sturgeon roe worth US$1.27 million in the eleven months of 2020, which was almost double the figure for the entire last year.

This is stated in a report by the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB).

Read alsoMacroeconomic outlook for 2021: GDP growth at 4% with moderate inflation

"China has become the main supplier of sturgeon roe to Ukraine with 6.2 tonnes, or about 85% of the total supplies. Italy, Moldova, Uruguay, and the Netherlands are also included in the top five suppliers," it said.

Sturgeon roe from China is competitive in price, as that country produces more than 150 tonnes of it annually, of which two-thirds are exported.

"In Ukraine, the niche of industrial sturgeon breeding and caviar production is still poorly developed, but there are pioneers in the industry. It is expected that with the development of consumption, Ukrainian producers of sturgeon roe will also occupy a significant niche in our market," UCAB experts said.

It is also reported that now the customs value of imports of sturgeon roe is US$175 per kg, while the retail price starts from UAH 1,000 hryvnia, or US$35.4, per 100 grams (US$354 per kg).

Previous developments

• In January-November 2020, Ukraine reduced exports of agricultural products by 0.3% compared to the same period last year, to US$20 billion, while increasing imports by 13.9%, to US$5.74 billion.