Apple prices in Poland will rise.

The situation on the wholesale apple market in Poland has been relatively stable in recent weeks. Now, it seems, the possibility of an increase in Polish dessert apple prices is beginning to emerge. This is largely due to exports.

Exports in the current season are not easy because of so far weak demand. There has been some interest in Polish apples from Egypt, but even there this has been limited as the Covid pandemic has had a negative impact on tourism there.  Demand in Europe has also been weak so far.

However, the latter has started to improve somewhat. In favour of Polish apples is the fact that the Western European countries (Belgium, the Netherlands) had a weaker harvest and there is less competition on the EU market. There is more room for good-quality Polish apples at good prices. There is also a shortage of good-quality apples in Ukraine, which is also an opportunity for Polish exporters.

This factor should contribute to a strengthening of purchase prices in Poland. Of course, this applies only to export quality goods. "Scrap" from cold stores has no chance of such prices and will have to go to industry. This season is also unlikely to see a repeat of last year's high spring demand, which even included low-quality apples from KA.

This is January, the start of the second part of the apple marketing season, but fruit growers are already looking to the future. And they have reasons for concern. The area of orchards in Poland, but also in Europe, is growing. The last two harvests on the continent were poor. The trees have rested. If the weather doesn't "thin out" the crop, the harvest in 2021 could be high. Many producers fear a repeat of the disaster of the 2018/2019 season.