Idared apples' prices in Poland are at the same level as production apples' prices

2021-11-18 11:00

Since Russia's embargo on the import of Polish (and EU) fruit and vegetables, the sale of Idared apples has been very difficult. Idared apples can count on good prices only in years of a very poor harvest. Only then, and usually at the end of such season, its prices are close to prices of other varieties. Usually we pay much less for Idared.

This is the case this year as well, except that the current season has brought a large drop in prices for all apples in Poland, as a consequence of which Idared prices have almost hit rock bottom. For apples sorted 70+ wholesale prices are at the level of 0.40-0.50 PLN/kg. As you can see from the graph below this is a level that is already close to the dire prices of the 2018/2019 season. And what else is worth noting is that in that season Idared prices, albeit slowly, were strengthening. Now this is out of the question. And offers to buy this variety are issued even at 0.30 PLN/kg, i.e. at the price of an ordinary industrial apple!

Idared, as we know, is a variety that is becoming increasingly difficult to trade. Especially now, in the first half of the abundant season, when we have a wealth of other apple varieties to choose from. But the price of 0.30 PLN/kg is a joke, and even 0.40 PLN/kg is an underestimated level (with the fact that apple prices in Poland in general are now understated). And it seems that purchase offers such as the one mentioned, at 0.30 PLN/kg, are speculative offers by traders who are counting on a price rise at the end of the season big enough to guarantee them a decent profit. In the case of Idared, this is a strategy which is not out of season. Many fruit growers may not want to keep this variety for too long for fear of costs. And fruit growers also say (at least in the region of Sandomierz and Lublin) that there is no surplus of nice Idared.

So maybe at the end of the season its prices will recover. Much depends here on how quickly other varieties will sell and what the quality of apples in long storage will be. The prices of industrial apples will also play their part.

Add comment

Commentary option available only for users with a subscription purchased