Almost 4 tons of low-quality melons and watermelons were withdrawn from sale in Odesa

Over the course of nearly two months, experts from the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection removed approximately 4 tons of pumpkins from sale in the markets of the Odesa region. The reason for this action was the elevated nitrate content.

This information was reported by the regional office of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection.

"Seasonal watermelons are being sold on local markets and in retail chains in the Odesa region. This year, watermelons are coming to us from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Turkey, and Greece. Experts from the Main Department are conducting the necessary phytosanitary procedures for shipments of watermelons and ensuring that food products of plant origin with elevated nitrate levels are not allowed for sale," the press service of the Main Department of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in the Odesa region reported.

It is noted that since the beginning of July of this year, due to the control by the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, 3,859 kilograms of pumpkins were prevented from being sold on the markets in the Odesa region. This includes 1,795 kilograms of watermelons and 1,400 kilograms of melons.

As of mid-August, Ukrainian farmers harvested 50,400 tons of pumpkin crops, which is 20.7% more than the projected harvest. This includes 38,000 tons of watermelons and 12,400 tons of melons.

Among the leading regions in terms of pumpkin cultivation are Odesa region with 1,300 hectares, Poltava with 700 hectares, Vinnytsia with 600 hectares, and Dnipropetrovsk with 500 hectares.