Cheaper price for early apples, but what about last year's prices?

The trade of apples from the 2024 harvest is coming to an end, while early varieties of apples are becoming more prevalent in the market. Currently, Piros dominates the market, but the Early Geneva variety is still available. There are also Antonówka, Celeste, and Paulared apples, the supply of which has noticeably increased. As a result, a clear downward trend in prices has emerged in the wholesale market for early apples.

This trend was so dynamic in the past week that it drove the prices of Piros and Paulared below the levels from the same period of the previous season. This is a very concerning phenomenon for orchardists, although it should be noted that the current season is significantly ahead of last year's. This is the main reason for the unfavorable price relation between current and previous years.

What are the prices? In large wholesale, the prices of Piros apples in size 70+ have dropped to the range of 2.00-3.00 PLN (0.47-0.70 EUR)/kg. This is a decrease of 38 percent compared to a week ago and 32 percent less year-on-year. On the other hand, the current season is about ten to fourteen days ahead. Around July 19th, the price was 9 percent higher than that of July 29th, 2023.

For Paulared, prices have fallen to 2.20-3.20 PLN (0.51-0.75 EUR)/kg, which is a 36 percent decrease over the past week. Comparing to last year is difficult because the wholesale trade for this variety started in early August. Prices for Paulared around July 19th are 13 percent higher than the first August prices in large wholesale last year.

How is the situation in the market for last year's apples? Prices remain relatively high, significantly higher than last year, although storage costs have increased over the past year. The main varieties remaining in the game are Red Jonaprince and Idared. There is still some trade for Champion and Mutsu. Interestingly, the trade for Golden Delicious continues to perform poorly, and the prices for this variety are below those of Idared.

Golden in size 70+ is offered at prices of 1.60-2.00 PLN (0.37-0.47 EUR)/kg, with the upper limit being quite rare. The poor performance of Golden is best illustrated by its average price being 27 percent lower year-on-year.

Prices for Red Jonaprince are mostly 2.00-2.50 PLN (0.47-0.58 EUR)/kg. This is 36 percent more expensive than the same period last year. Jonaprince remains the most sought-after variety. As for Idared prices, they currently range from 1.80-2.20 PLN (0.42-0.51 EUR)/kg in large wholesale. This is a 74 percent increase year-on-year. The demand for this variety is almost as high as the demand for Jonaprince.