The white cabbage market has shown its true colors.

White cabbage in the Polish wholesale market, basically from the beginning of the current regular trading season, has been under pressure to lower prices. This was especially noticeable in the fresh market. At times, these pressures were so effective that corrections in wholesale prices of cabbage occurred.

But even then, there was clear resistance to deeper or more prolonged discounts. And in the longer time perspective, it was even more evident how ineffective these pressures were. In the past month, the Polish wholesale market for white cabbage revealed its true nature. A nature primarily shaped by supply factors.

Currently, white cabbage prices, after another, let's add very brief, reduction, have strengthened again to the range of 1.20-1.50 PLN/kg, averaging 1.35 PLN/kg (in the purchase of white cabbage for industry, prices range from 0.90-1.00 PLN/kg). This price level has already been seen in the current season. But now, in the second half of October, such an average price is clearly higher than in the same period in previous seasons.

In recent years (not only in these five from the above chart, but in at least sixteen), white cabbage prices in the Polish large wholesale market around October 22nd have been very varied. The cheapest, only 0.18 PLN/kg, was paid in October 2011. The most, on average 1.15 PLN/kg, in 2022. This last season (2022/2023) is visible on our chart. Even then, as also in the past year, cabbage prices fell in a seasonal trend, at least until November.

And a stable long-term upward trend, also of a seasonal nature, appeared only in the new calendar year. It will be no different in the current season. The pressure on prices will not disappear, but it will most likely be much weaker this campaign than usual, precisely because there is already a shortage of cabbage, especially cabbage of good quality and nice appearance, and it will only get harder in this regard. Even if the demand for Polish, more expensive cabbage will not be particularly high in the coming weeks.