The first batches of Gala apples on the market.

Usually, the end of August is the time when the first batches of Gala apples from new crops arrive for wholesale trade in Poland. However, this year Gala is starting earlier. The first batches of these apples are already entering the domestic wholesale market. Of course, these are just the beginnings of the apple harvest, and early varieties still dominate the wholesale market. The most popular ones are Piros, Paulared, Delikates, and Celesta. Gala apples are scarce, and only some of their striped sports, like Gala Schniga, are available.

The initial offers for selling Gala apples relate to very limited quantities. Some of them are not even offers for apples that will be harvested in a few days. This year's harvest of main varieties begins under the sign of information that apple supply in Europe in the 2024/2025 season will be significantly lower. According to WAPA data, the largest producers of these fruits in the EU - Poland, Italy, and France, as well as many other countries, will experience a decrease in harvest.

So, how are the initial wholesale prices of this year's Gala shaping up in light of these expected poorer harvests? Sales offers (per weight) mostly range from 2.50 PLN/kg to 3.00 PLN/kg (0.59-0.70 EUR/kg), depending on the caliber. However, purchasing centers offer prices ranging from 2.70 to 3.00 PLN/kg (0.63-0.70 EUR/kg) for caliber 70+, depending on the region of the country. Smaller Gala apples (65+, 65/70, 68+) have prices around 2.00-2.20 PLN/kg (0.47-0.51 EUR/kg).

Thus, at the start of this season, Gala apples are more expensive than in previous years. Last year, the season for this variety began at the end of August, with prices ranging from 2.20 to 2.50 PLN/kg (0.51-0.59 EUR/kg) for caliber 70+. Caliber 65+ had prices at the beginning of last year's campaign around 1.80-2.00 PLN/kg (0.42-0.47 EUR/kg). Two years ago, it was even cheaper: 1.40-1.50 PLN/kg (0.33-0.35 EUR/kg) for caliber 70+ and 1.00-1.10 PLN/kg (0.23-0.26 EUR/kg) for 65+.