Even smaller supply of imported blueberries in Poland

In winter, blueberries come to the European market, including Poland, from far away, which is a decisive factor for the prices of this fruit in our wholesale and retail. But even in this period, prices are sometimes higher and sometimes lower.

In January, highbush blueberries come to Poland mainly from Peru. In addition to the Peruvian fruit, there is also fruit from Chile. Their prices in winter are "exclusive", usually significantly higher than in late autumn. In the current season, however, the situation is somewhat different.

In the small wholesale market, prices for imported blueberries have remained fairly stable since the beginning of November last year. And this is the average level of 10.00 zlotys/250 g (40.00 zlotys/kg. And while in November 2020 it was similar, later prices rose to 11.00-12.00 and even at times to 13.00 PLN/250 g. This season, nothing of the sort has happened. Prices remain at 10 PLN/250 g.

This is not the case at the retail level. Retail chains were offering Peruvian blueberries at 10.50 PLN/250 g in December. Now, in January, it is already 12.00-12.50 PLN/250 g, i.e. almost 17 per cent more expensive on average.

It seems that the lack of increase in wholesale prices in January 2020 is a result of higher supply on the one hand (and this supply is systematically growing, even in winter), but also of lower demand, because for Polish consumers, after almost a year of living in the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, the blueberry is not a basic necessity in winter, even despite its "superfood" status.