Will it be a season of expensive currants in Poland?

There is still some time left until the start of the currant season in Poland, but there is a lively discussion in the industry about what to expect in the coming season in terms of yields and, consequently, prices. The prevailing view among producers is that the new season will bring high prices not only for blackcurrants, but also for redcurrants.

This view is supported by pointing to what is currently happening on plantations. And there, flower fall is occurring on a significant scale. The reasons for this are not only or even mainly the May frosts, say the producers. Blossom fall was already evident earlier, and was due to the drought and generally cool weather this spring.

Producers say this will have a significant impact on the yield and harvest of currants and, therefore, on their supply at the buying stations during the coming campaign. In addition, there will be a repeat of last year's high demand for blackcurrants, which will also affect prices. Let us recall that last season, even though the harvest was slightly higher year-on-year, prices for blackcurrants remained much higher than in 2020 precisely because of high demand from processors.

Black currant purchase prices at the beginning of July 2021 were at an average level of 3,25 PLN/kg, by 48 percent higher year-on-year. The situation was different for red currants, for which demand was weak and prices started at an average level of 0.80 PLN/kg, 6 per cent lower than in 2020, and then continued to fall (at one point to 0.58 PLN/kg). This year, producers expect high prices for blackcurrant and a significant improvement in redcurrant prices.