Unprecedented high prices for watermelon in Moldova, another five-year record

Contrary to a long-term trend, prices for watermelon in the first half of August 2022 in Moldova did not decrease, but increased by 20-25%, on average from 4 to 5 lei/kg ($0.21-26/kg) in wholesale trade. In network retail, the price of goods doubles; in market and bazaar retail, the gap from the average wholesale price is 25-35%. In mid-August this year, watermelons in bulk are sold 15-20% more expensive than in the dry year of 2020. However, then the August level of average wholesale prices was relatively high, but stable for three weeks and fell for a short period in early September. In 2022, the market dynamics will apparently be different. Traders believe that the wholesale price of watermelon in Moldova will grow (perhaps not very quickly and strongly) throughout August and most of September. This month last year, due to low purchase prices that do not cover the costs of production and harvesting, the watermelon crop in some fields was plowed. See also: The Ministry of ...