Bronisze: Domestic New Potatoes Replace Imports, Prices Volatile Amid Heatwave
Polish new potatoes have fully replaced imports on the wholesale market, with prices fluctuating daily due to unstable supply and recent heatwaves impacting the harvest.
On the Bronisze wholesale market near Warsaw, the season for imported young potatoes has ended, and Polish produce now dominates. As of early July 2026, yellow varieties were traded at approximately €0.23/kg (1.00 PLN/kg) when supply was high, and at around €0.35/kg (1.50 PLN/kg) when supply tightened. The Irga variety sold for €0.35/kg (1.50 PLN/kg) to €0.46/kg (2.00 PLN/kg), depending on daily availability. These prices reflect significant volatility, with fluctuations driven by changes in supply rather than a steady trend. Producers reported that prices had briefly dropped to €0.23/kg (1.00 PLN/kg) or less during a heat-induced sell-off, before rebounding as weather cooled and market activity normalized.
Import potatoes from Egypt and Cyprus, which had been present in June, are now absent from Polish markets, as domestic potatoes have reached full culinary maturity and meet buyer preferences. Wholesalers and retailers are sourcing exclusively from local growers. The absence of imported product has not stabilized prices, as local supply remains variable and sensitive to weather and harvest conditions.
The growing season has been marked by a strong heatwave, with temperatures locally exceeding 35°C and drought conditions in many regions. These weather extremes coincided with the key tuber development phase, raising concerns among Polish producers about reduced yields and smaller tuber sizes. Experts warn that continued high temperatures and low rainfall could further limit harvest volumes and affect quality, potentially leading to more irregular and deformed potatoes.
In terms of trade, Poland's export position in the regional market has shifted. In the first five months of 2026, Poland accounted for 16.6% of Ukraine’s potato imports, ranking third behind Egypt and Azerbaijan. This marks a drop from 2025, when Poland was Ukraine’s top supplier with a 37.1% share. Egypt’s earlier harvest has enabled it to capture a larger share of the Ukrainian market in the first half of the year.
The reduction in potato planting area in Western Europe is also influencing the broader market environment. While the sources do not specify Polish acreage, European data indicate an 11% decrease in area planted to table and processing potatoes, particularly in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Germany. In Poland, the final national yield will depend on weather in the coming weeks, with growers closely monitoring the impact of ongoing drought and high temperatures.
Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker