The Polish apple growers have had to pick the apples faster than usual according to Jan Nowakowski, manager of Polish apple exporter Genesis Fresh: "The new Polish apple season started two weeks earlier compared to the previous year. We had a dry summer, warm autumn and we had to harvest apples faster than we normally would have to. For Polish apples, we can expect a 20% drop in volume, compared to last season. At this point in the season, all varieties are available, with Idared being the last variety to be picked."
Although some growers and exporters have already seen shortages, Genesis Fresh has seen a positive start to the season, with availability for all varieties, albeit lesser volumes for some of them, Nowakowski explains. "We have a good season for Royal Gala and a very good season Golden apples. This year, we will have less of Jonagold, Red Jonaprince, Idared and Champion. All apples are larger in sizes, and there is a rather limited quantity of 60-70mm apples."
Nowakowski emphasizes that prices started out very high at the start of the season, but have currently stabilized: "The new season begun with high prices and climbed further at a very fast pace in the last seven weeks, until week 42. Now, we observe the market calming down and prices are stable at this moment. I don't expect any big changes before Christmas time. If the market stays stable, I don't think the price will raise much after New Year either. It will depend on the sales in coming ten weeks."
Fruit Attraction was a good event for Nowakowski, as he's been able to feel out how the Polish apples are doing in a wide variety of markets, such as the Middle East. "The fair in Madrid has very good timing and is a great place to meet and speak about the Polish apple season. We noticed solid demand from the Middle and Far Eastern countries, but the prices disappoint. The demand for apples is high, but the price levels have stayed on those of the previous year. We need to remember, we have much fewer apples this season and many batches of apples are not suitable for long-transit time, which limits the volume even more. We'll have to observe how these markets develop this season."
Many Polish apple exporters are looking towards the South American market. Nowakowski states this also has to do with the difficult transit to Asian markets at this point in time: "We are strongly connected with European markets and these are our main customers to serve and supply. South American markets are new present to us and are interested due to the shorter transit-time compared to the Far East. The Red Sea blockage causes transit times to be way too long for European apples and the customers from Asia are looking for alternative sources of imported apples."
For more information:
Jan Nowakowski
Genesis Fresh
Tel: +48 223 783 405
Email: [email protected]