Bronisze: Emergency Sales of Early Potatoes Amid Heat, Prices from €0.2/kg

A heatwave in late June led to rapid sell-offs of early potatoes at the Bronisze wholesale market, with prices dropping to €0.2–0.7/kg for yellow-fleshed varieties. The Irga variety remained limited in supply and commanded higher prices.

On 25–26 June 2026, a wave of record heat triggered urgent sales of young potatoes at the Bronisze wholesale market near Warsaw. Producers, concerned about rapid quality loss in extreme temperatures, sold 15-kg sacks of yellow-fleshed early potatoes (mainly Riviera) for as little as 10 PLN per sack, equal to about €0.67 per sack or €0.04/kg. However, this was an exceptional low; more typical minimum prices during the sell-off were around €0.2–0.7/kg (1–3 PLN/kg). These low prices reflect emergency market conditions and are not considered representative for the rest of the season so far.

The Irga variety, which was present in smaller volumes, continued to fetch significantly higher prices. At the Bronisze market in late June, Irga potatoes were traded at about €2.0/kg (8.6 PLN/kg), reflecting restricted supply and sustained buyer interest. Availability of Irga remained much lower than for Riviera and other early varieties.

The heatwave not only affected prices but also changed trading patterns. Both growers and buyers limited their activity during the hottest hours, causing daily market trade to finish earlier than usual. Wholesale traders with access to cold storage facilities played a larger role during this period, as high temperatures reduced the safe storage window for freshly harvested potatoes.

The weather has also impacted harvesting operations. High temperatures in late June complicated fieldwork, making it more difficult for growers to dig and move potatoes, which in turn increased the urgency to sell available stock quickly. The market response was a sharp, temporary increase in supply, pressuring prices downward for bulk lots.

Demand for early potatoes remained steady, but buyers showed a preference for higher-quality, well-sorted lots and the Irga variety. The volume of potatoes offered by farmers in early July will depend on weather stabilization and the ability to maintain quality during continued warm conditions.

Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker