In Poland, an 18-ton shipment of Russian cucumbers was detained due to improper labelling, sparking discontent among Polish growers. Before the war in Ukraine, Russia had modernized its agricultural sector, constructing vast greenhouse complexes and adopting advanced Dutch cultivation technologies.
According to data from 2023, Poland imported 7930 tons of cucumbers from Russia, along with significant quantities of onions and carrots. Although Russian cucumbers are not subject to an embargo, they can only be sold on the Polish market if they are properly labelled.
Polish producers are concerned about the situation, arguing that imports from Russia constitute unfair competition. Cheaper, improperly labelled Russian products drive down the prices of domestic vegetables, while production costs in Poland, significantly driven by labour and energy expenses, are very high.
Besides Russia, Poland also imports cucumbers from Spain, the Netherlands, and countries in the Balkan region. The variety of supply sources and product quality affects prices in the Polish market. However, the issue of Russian cucumbers, which could have entered the market with correct labelling, raises discussions about labelling rules and product origin, especially in the context of the current political and economic relations between Poland and Russia.
Source: www.money.pl