Why are Belarus-grown tomatos more expensive than imported ones?

Why are Belarusian vegetables more expensive than imported ones?. The European Radio for Belarus has found out why tomatos from abroad are cheaper than local vegetables.

There is a variety of tomatos at the Kamarouski central market place in Minsk from Turkey, Spain, Itlay, Uzbekistan and other countries, with costs ranging from Br6,000 to Br50,000/kg. Vendors maintain that people buy even those for Br50,000, because quality, not the price, is what matters.



Vendor: "Prices are the same as everywhere. Quality is the most important thing".

But consumers complain that it is too expensive to buy tomatos in winter.

Buyer: "Perhaps, peple buy it for the sake of decoration, because it is too expensive".

Tomatos from Turkey are the cheapest (Br7,000/kg)…




Meanwhile, Belarusian tomatos are sold at Br11770/kg in groceries, more expensive than tomatos from Turkey or Spain.

In winter, they are grown in greenhouses at the Minsk Vegetable Factory. But if you want to buy cheap tomatos, you have to wait for summer, says the chief economic officer at the factory.So, does it make sense to grow expensive tomatos in winter?"

The chief economic officer says that if you don't care about your health, you can buy imported tomatos.

"We have an accredited lab. We stick to all the technologies, and we use only athorized drugs and only biological protection means. They cost money.

Our vegetables are now the cleanest in the country. I think you understand very well wht kind of tomatos arrive from Turkey. We supply a decent high-quality produce, according to all the health standards".

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