Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan commented on the sharp rise in prices for cucumbers and grapes in food markets.

According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, from 8 to 15 November, the maximum prices for cucumbers increased from 9,000 to 25,000 soums, the minimum - from 4,000 to 20,000 soums. At the same time, the price of grapes increased from 8,000-45,000 to 45,000-90,000 soums.

The Ministry of Agriculture noted that cucumbers grown in open fields have already been collected and delivered to consumers. The average price during harvest is 1.5-2 thousand soums per kg.

Cucumber prices in previous years also rose by mid-November. It is predicted that prices on the domestic market will stabilize with the start of harvesting products in greenhouses in the third ten days of November - early December after the adoption of a resolution on the guaranteed supply of natural gas to greenhouses.

As for grapes, their value increases due to the fact that they are stored in November-December. It was also noted that 18% of grape production this year was lost due to abnormal cold weather. This influenced a decrease in export volumes and an increase in prices on the domestic market.

The Ministry of Agriculture described the rise in prices for agricultural products as “a natural situation that arose as a result of preparatory work for the winter season in greenhouses.” After new crop is harvested in greenhouses and delivered to the market, prices will stabilize, the ministry expects.