Odessa lines up major increase in banana and citrus imports

摘要

SOMETHING strange is happening in Odessa, one of the oldest and largest commercial sea ports in Ukraine. During the first two months of this year, citrus and banana volumes shipped via the port had already reached 31,000 tonnes, a startling 20,500 tonnes more than in the same period of 2004. According to the port's general manager Nikolay Pavlyuk, however, the rise can be easily explained. "The increase is connected primarily to recent economic growth in Ukraine and the resulting increase in demand for this type of product," reveals Mr Pavlyuk. "Last year, 59,000 tonnes of fresh citrus and bananas were transported via Odessa, some 4,000 tonnes more than in 2003. In 2005, volumes are expected to be around 80-90,000 tonnes."