It's time for the seasonal change in watermelon imports.

Watermelons are practically available on the Polish market throughout the year. In the summer, the selection of these fruits is huge, and an increasing share is taken by watermelons produced in our country. However, in the fall, the watermelon market undergoes a fundamental transformation. Both in terms of supply and prices. In fact, the price change is a consequence of the supply change.

In November, imported watermelons from southern Europe, such as Spain and Italy, completely disappeared from the Polish wholesale market. Earlier, those from the Balkan countries and Ukraine also vanished. November brings a seasonal shift in the worth of this segment of the market for imported fresh fruits.

Instead of watermelons imported from southern Europe, an offer from more distant and exotic countries south of the equator is emerging. These will mainly be fruits imported from Brazil, as this country is the undisputed leader in exporting watermelons to Poland in late autumn and winter (around one-third of all imported watermelons come from Brazil during this period).

The supply of watermelons in late autumn and winter is only a fraction of that in the summer. This is largely due to transportation costs, which must translate into significantly higher prices. These costs have always been relatively high compared to the transportation costs of fruits within Europe. However, in recent years, we have seen a dynamic and steady increase in this area, which has affected the prices of watermelons on Polish store shelves.

Between November and February, around 800-1000 tons of watermelons were imported to Poland monthly. Of these, there are between 400 and 600 tons of Brazilian fruits. Additionally, there is also indirect import via the Netherlands, from which Poland received over 500 tons of watermelons monthly in previous seasons. Furthermore, around 300 tons of these fruits were imported monthly through Germany during the mentioned period.

But this year, volumes may be even lower. At least judging by the very modest start of this phase of the season. Brazilian watermelons are already present on the Polish market, but there are fewer of them than in previous years. In wholesale trade (small-scale wholesale at local markets), they are practically absent at the moment (appearing sporadically, in individual shipments). There is currently no talk of a continuous supply. Only in large retail chains can the seasonal change be observed. Brazilian mini watermelons are already continuously available in supermarkets.

Currently, Brazilian watermelons rarely appearing in wholesale have prices ranging from 5.00-6.00 PLN/kg. This is more expensive than in previous years. Clearly more expensive. Four to five years ago (and earlier), wholesale prices of watermelons in the last weeks of the calendar year were around 4.00 PLN/kg. Now it is above 5.00 PLN/kg. In retail, Brazilian watermelons are offered at prices around 10.00-11.00 PLN/kg in supermarket offers. Considering the nature of these fruits - substantial weight per piece and a large amount of waste in the form of peel - 10 PLN/kg is a very high price.