The Polish apple trade is headed towards better times, after a turbulent December month. Prices are stable at the moment, but the increased costs for electricity could change the situation. Demand is strong right now, so exporters have their work cut out for them.
According to Emilia Lewandowska, office manager for Polish apple exporter Fruit-Group, the current Polish apple season can be described as a mixed bag: “The Polish apple export has been going very well in terms of quantities, especially for long shipments. However not everything was smooth, as we experienced huge problems with transport in December. Containers were significantly delayed, but fortunately the situation has improved since then and logistics are a little more stable.”
Looking back at the previous year, Lewandowska states that it has been a good year for the Polish apple traders. “Overall, 2021 was a good year for the Polish apples. According to official data from the government, we sold 30 per cent more apples to third countries. I hope that 2022 will be even better for us. We noticed also that this autumn, the sales of industrial apples from our company was 40 per cent higher compared to the same period in 2020. The current level of demand is solid. We’re not short of work, which is usually the case in January, a good month for apples.”
There will be more than enough volumes of apples for a while to come, Emilia says: “At this point we’re tightly observing the quality of the apples, as cold chambers are opening up. Growers who had a very good harvest time will have great pressure in the apples. Since we’re still in the middle of the season, apples are still widely available. Whether there will be shortages for stocks will become clear around March.”
“Currently apples prices are stable. However, this could change rapidly, as everyone will receive the new electricity bill at the start of February. As these costs are going up, as well as the expenses towards plant protection products increasing, the outcome could be huge financial problems for Polish producers.” Lewandowska concludes.
For more information:
Emilia Lewandowska
Fruit-Group SP.z.o.o.
Email: [email protected]
www.fruitgroup.pl