Raspberry tomatoes are cheaper than red ones.

We are in the peak of tomato season in Poland. This can be seen in the wholesale prices of these vegetables (or fruits, as some prefer), specifically in the recent drop in prices. However, it is worth paying attention to the details of this decrease. They reveal a lot about the condition of the Polish market for tomatoes intended for direct consumption.

First, let's look at the price trends in the market for classic red tomatoes. The current prices for these tomatoes in the Polish wholesale market are mostly 3.00-3.33 PLN/kg (0.70-0.77 EUR/kg) for size A, 3.16-3.50 PLN/kg (0.73-0.81 EUR/kg) for B, 3.33-3.66 PLN/kg (0.77-0.85 EUR/kg) for BB, and 3.50-3.83 PLN/kg (0.81-0.89 EUR/kg) for size BBB. Locally, in some wholesale markets, the prices of these vegetables reach up to 4.00 PLN/kg (0.93 EUR/kg).

From the chart, we can see that the average July drop in prices of red tomatoes in large-scale wholesale was almost symbolic, at about 13 percent. Furthermore, the prices of these vegetables remained relatively high. Not record-breaking, as sudden price spikes have occurred in the tomato market during the summer. Nevertheless, the current prices of red tomatoes are at a level similar to those in 2022 and 2023.

This means that they are higher than in seasons before 2022. In the market for these tomatoes, a crisis in production is emerging, or at least a clear interruption in the growth trend of this production. These are the consequences of a significant increase in costs and a deteriorating international market situation, unfavorable for Polish exporters.

The disruptions in the production of red tomatoes have led to an unprecedented situation this year. The prices of these vegetables have suddenly risen above the prices of raspberry tomatoes. The prices of raspberry tomatoes in wholesale now start at 2.20 PLN/kg (0.51 EUR/kg)! Most commonly, it is 2.33-3.16 PLN/kg (0.54-0.73 EUR/kg). Even in Bronisze, the prices of large raspberry tomatoes do not exceed 3.5 PLN/kg (0.81 EUR/kg).