Russian Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut announced that strawberry prices will be adjusted in June following discussions with Uzbekistan. The statements came after a meeting reported by TASS.
She noted that the main harvest season should start in June and prices are expected to fluctuate. Lut added that the strengthening exchange rate should help cushion import costs from rising pressures, reducing the risk of a negative impact on consumer prices (TASS).
Yesterday, it was reported that a kilogram of strawberries can be bought at an average of 588 rubles. This marks a 20% increase compared with May of the previous year. In Moscow, the price is higher still, averaging 651 rubles per kilogram. The rise in the capital, however, is slightly milder than nationwide, showing about a 12% year-on-year increase (TASS).
When compared with April, the overall average price of fruits declined by 9%. Last month, strawberries averaged 646 rubles per kilogram. Market analysts explain that strawberry prices traditionally ease in May as the first berries from the southern regions reach the markets at the end of spring, aligning supply with demand and often dampening price spikes (TASS).
Historically, price dynamics in this sector are closely tied to seasonal harvests and currency movements. Observers note that the April-to-May lull in fruit prices typically coincides with the transition from early southern fruit shipments to a broader northern and domestic supply, which helps stabilize the market as consumers adjust to fresh harvests (TASS).
Economic analysts emphasize that exchange-rate movements can influence both production costs and import pricing, which in turn affects retail strawberry prices. The June adjustment plan signals an intent to balance domestic production with international procurement while considering currency trends, logistical costs, and seasonal harvest timing. Officials and market watchers continue to monitor weather patterns, regional harvest yields, and transport logistics, all of which contribute significantly to price variability in the berries sector (TASS).
For consumers, these developments mean that prices may show modest fluctuations through June as markets absorb new harvests and evolving import costs. The expectation remains that the main strawberry season will bring greater supply in the months ahead, potentially tempering price volatility after the mid-year adjustments and providing clearer signals for shoppers across major cities, including Moscow (TASS).
The ongoing dialogue between agricultural authorities and trading partners, including regional producers in Uzbekistan, reflects a broader strategy to stabilize fruit pricing amid shifting exchange rates and seasonal cycles. Market participants anticipate that coordinated measures will help maintain affordable access to strawberries while supporting farmers and suppliers during the peak growing period (TASS).
Overall, the price trajectory shown over the past months underscores how seasonal harvests, currency shifts, and trade partnerships collectively shape the fruit market. As June unfolds, observers expect continued scrutiny of price movements, with analysts closely watching how domestic production scales up to meet demand while imports adjust to the currency environment and logistical realities (TASS).