ukraine food crisis

[FLASH2D]

i was just told by a woman that there is a food crisis or shortage in the ukraine and prices for food have quadrupled. is this true? she says it's in all the news. anyone else hear about this? i think i'm getting ready to be asked for some $. thanks.

[vagn]

... in response to ukraine food crisis, posted by FLASH2D on Jun 24, 2003


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/world/europe/3020500.stm

" Hold on to your money, don't make unjustified purchases, think things through and trust your government "
Mykola Azarov
First Deputy Prime Minister

[Philb]

... in response to ukraine food crisis, posted by FLASH2D on Jun 24, 2003

[This message has been edited by Philb]

This website had a series of articles on this. Here is the link.

http://www.ukraine-observer.com

From what I can gather it does not appear that there is an actual shortage at the present time just wild speculation based on projected grain harvests.  I wouldn't be surprised if there was not a criminal element behind this.  This would not be unusual for Ukraine.

AZAROV DIRECTS MINISTRIES OF AGRICULTURAL POLICY AND ECONOMY TO STABILIZE SITUATION ON FOODSTUFFS MARKETS

While opening the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on Wednesday, First Deputy Prime Minister Mykola Azarov directed the Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Ministry of Economy to take immediate measures for stabilizing the situation on the markets of flour, pastas and cereals.

“The Ministry of Agricultural Policy and the Ministry of Economy should immediately provide plans of such measures and plan of necessary procurements,” Azarov said.

He assured that in the nearest time the Cabinet of Ministers would provide procurement of necessary products to satiate the market.

As Ukrainian News earlier reported, starting from June 18-19, prices for flour, pastas and cereals started growing intensively in the retail network in all regions of Ukraine as a result of sharp increase of demand for these products on the part of the consumers.

In the last few days price of pastas, buckwheat and flour has increased for bout 30% compared with prices in the end of May, and they continue growing.

According to the market participants, average retail price of pastas throughout Ukraine as of June 24 was UAH 2.7-3 per kilogram, buckwheat was sold at UAH 4.5-6 per kilogram, flour was UAH 2.5 per kilogram.

Grain harvest in 2003 is forecasted at the level of 23-27 million tons, in contrast with 38.8 million tons in 2002.

The need of domestic market in food grain constitutes 7 million tons annually.

***

[Stan]

... in response to ukraine food crisis, posted by FLASH2D on Jun 24, 2003

My wife , Tanya, went home for a little while on Memorial Day and to take our son there to visit Babushka and study and keep up on his Russian. Prices for food and bread have gone up due to a very bad drought. This was in Simferopol and it is my understanding that is mostly country wide, even in the villages. We are going back in July and am taking my father with so he can experience Crimea. Will keep my eye on prices besides just all the beautiful sights.

[wsbill]

... in response to ukraine food crisis, posted by FLASH2D on Jun 24, 2003

how to grow hydroponically so they can get produce year round...

http://www.wormsway.com

get one of these guys catalogs and examine the materials used, you can easily make a system for them.

[RW]

... in response to ukraine food crisis, posted by FLASH2D on Jun 24, 2003

don't know about food crisis, but my grandparents told me it hasn't rained all May and June and the temperatures are very high. Everything they planted in their yard is burning and they are afraid they will be left with no vegetables for next winter.

May be that's what she meant? Not sure.

[Stan B]

... in response to ukraine food crisis, posted by FLASH2D on Jun 24, 2003

I spoke to my wife last night and she brought up the fact that a lot of items are much more expensive that when she left 2 years ago. Specially meats and fresh veges. Currently she's in Sevastopol and the prices there are much higher than Chernivtsi, where she started her trip.

[wsbill]

... in response to ukraine food prices are up, posted by Stan B on Jun 24, 2003

expensive in the city and cheap on the farm.   I think Ukraine is experiencing some inflation as well as their economy is growing.

[Cold Warrior]

... in response to ukraine food crisis, posted by FLASH2D on Jun 24, 2003

Due to a shortfall of 60 percent of the Wheat harvest there is a shortage of flour and an estimated steep rise in the price of bread and flour.

[John K]

... in response to ukraine food crisis, posted by FLASH2D on Jun 24, 2003

and she didn't mention anything of the sort.  I find it difficult to believe that the "breadbasket of Eastern Europe" would have a food shortage anyway...

[John K]

... in response to I talked with my wife last night on the ..., posted by John K on Jun 24, 2003

I asked her about possible food shortages.  She told me that Ukraine was doing well (her father does a bit of farming).  On the other hand, in Moldova next door, there is a horrible drought going on.  Due to the severe water shortage, almost all crops planted there have died.

A different perspective, of course, but it does raise the question of whether it's Ukraine's problem or someone else's.  Even if it is Moldova's problem, it will put a price strain on Ukraine, as the Moldovans will be importing a lot more food than what they normally would do.  That, of course, will drive up food prices in Ukraine as well...

[Philb]

... in response to ukraine food crisis, posted by FLASH2D on Jun 24, 2003

At Least the ones I read.  Has she asked you for money yet?

[FLASH2D]

... in response to Nothing at Ukrainian news sources...., posted by Philb on Jun 24, 2003

it could be she is over-reacting, but i have been suspecting a money question to arise soon and this may be the opportunity for her to use it. i have had my doubts about her for some time now, because there have been only innuendos and i never took the bait because i didn't want the hook.