Industrial raspberries are in higher demand.

Demand for raspberries for processing seems to have improved significantly. This is a rather unexpected evolution of the market, especially when compared to the concerns at the beginning of the season and the prices at that time. Of course, observing the market over the past few days, one could have expected this scenario.

The demand for raspberries for processing, and consequently the prices at which these fruits are bought, have been strengthened by several factors. Firstly, there is a shortage of raspberries on the market, not only Polish raspberries. Processors also do not have alternative sources for imports. Hence, the gap between this limited supply and demand.

And this demand has an additional incentive to strengthen, as this year the strawberry campaign ended quickly and the currant campaign is already finishing. Additionally, the supply of cherries for processing is not, generally speaking, excessive. As a result, some processing plants have turned their attention to raspberries.

So, how are the prices of these fruits shaping up? Lower-quality raspberries, for pressing, are priced at around 6.00-8.00 PLN/kg (1.41-1.88 EUR/kg) most often. This is on average 75 percent more compared to last year. Higher-quality raspberries, for freezing, are usually bought at prices ranging from 7.50-9.50 PLN/kg (1.76-2.23 EUR/kg). This is an 81 percent increase compared to last year. However, last year the situation in this sector of the fruit processing market was dire, and the government tried to save it by introducing an intervention purchase program (which turned out to be too small-scale to significantly alter the price realities at that time).

Of course, the prices from three years ago are still far off. But firstly, that season was exceptional, and by definition extremes rarely repeat themselves, and secondly, psychologically we tend to make comparisons closer in time. Comparing year-on-year, and considering the significant concerns before the current season and at its beginning, the current situation looks really good. Moreover, there are many indications that prices will not drop in the second part of the campaign, when autumn raspberries will be purchased.