Preliminary estimate of the field vegetable set for 2024 in Poland

Experts from the Central Statistical Office, in their initial assessment of this year's root vegetable harvest, highlight that early-season weather conditions were unfavorable. Excessive soil moisture delayed field work across much of the country. From mid-April, a lack of rainfall slowed vegetation growth. April and May brought additional frost waves, causing losses in root vegetable crops. The following weeks remained challenging due to a continued lack of rainfall, local thunderstorms, and hail. Warm weather in June dried the soil, complicating vegetable planting. In July, while rainfall improved soil moisture, it also, combined with hot weather, increased pest and disease pressure. However, the rains and warm weather in July accelerated vegetable growth noticeably.

Based on these observations, GUS experts estimate that this year's vegetable harvest will be slightly larger than last year's, though the total season's yield will depend on forthcoming weather, especially rainfall. The production of root vegetables in 2024 is preliminarily estimated by GUS at over 3.8 million tons, 2 percent higher than in 2023 (when it was 3.83 million tons).

The cabbage harvest in 2024 is estimated at 593 thousand tons, 5.6 percent less than in 2023 (628 thousand tons). The yields of late varieties will be decisive for the total cabbage harvest. The cauliflower harvest is predicted to be 111 thousand tons, 12.6 percent less than in 2023 (127 thousand tons). The onion harvest is expected to reach 695 thousand tons, 9.6 percent more than in 2023 (634 thousand tons), primarily due to a significant increase in the cultivation area. The carrot harvest is estimated at 572 thousand tons, 0.7 percent less than in 2023 (577 thousand tons). The beetroot harvest is estimated at 249 thousand tons, 1.6 percent less than in 2023 (253 thousand tons). The parsnip harvest is projected to be 150 thousand tons, 1.4 percent more than in 2023 (148 thousand tons). The celery root harvest is estimated at 101 thousand tons, 4.7 percent less than in 2023 (106 thousand tons).

The field tomato harvest is expected to reach 210 thousand tons, a significant increase of 23.6 percent compared to 2023 (170 thousand tons), due to a large increase in the cultivated area. The cucumber harvest is estimated at 118 thousand tons, 9.9 percent less than in 2023 (131 thousand tons). The production of sugar maize is projected to reach 160 thousand tons in 2024, 3.9 percent more than in 2023 (154 thousand tons). The pumpkin, zucchini, and squash harvests are expected to reach 423 thousand tons, 4.7 percent more than in 2023 (404 thousand tons). The total production of other vegetable varieties is estimated at 519 thousand tons, 3.6 percent more than in 2023 (501 thousand tons)