Central Poland: Strawberry Prices Volatile as Season Nears End, Lower Supply on Markets
Strawberry supply in Poland has dropped significantly due to spring frosts and recent rain, with prices showing large daily fluctuations on wholesale and retail markets. The harvest is expected to end within days, and the volume of high-quality dessert strawberries is much lower than last year.
On the Bronisze wholesale market and other trading platforms, dessert strawberry prices have fluctuated sharply in recent days depending on fruit quality. At the Warka market, mid-June 2026, strawberries were sold at €2.1–2.4/kg (9–10 PLN/kg), with most lots consisting of Marmolada and Sybilla varieties. Farm-gate prices for late-season strawberries in the Grójec region were reported at €3.5–6.6 per 2-kg punnet (15–28 PLN), or €1.8–3.3/kg, with rapid changes from day to day. Some growers received requests from buyers at the higher end of this range, while on other days they struggled to sell at the lower end. Producers expect prices to approach €7.0 per 2-kg punnet (30 PLN) for premium fruit as the season finishes, but this is not widespread yet.
The supply of strawberries on the Polish market is significantly lower than in 2025. Extensive spring frosts, with ground temperatures down to -9°C in some regions, damaged flowers and fruit set, especially in central Poland. This was followed by heavy rainfall of 50–100 mm over several days in June, which led to widespread fruit rot (Botrytis/grey mould) and further reduced the share of fruit suitable for the fresh market. Many growers are sorting fruit already during harvest, with only the best lots going to direct retail or wholesale as dessert strawberries, while a growing proportion is sent to processors.
The harvest is now in its final phase. Most growers in the Grójec, Góra Kalwaria, and Warka regions expect picking to finish within a week, with late varieties such as Malwina, Florence, and Faith still available. However, due to the weather and disease pressure, some growers have abandoned late harvests altogether, and there are reports of supply running out faster than usual. By July, domestic field strawberries are expected to disappear from the market.
Demand for high-quality dessert strawberries remains high, but the limited availability and rapid deterioration of fruit post-harvest are constraining volumes on offer. The adverse weather has also reduced the overall quality and shelf life of even well-coloured and attractive fruit, making transport and trade more difficult. As a result, processors are receiving more fruit, while fresh market buyers are competing over the best remaining lots.
In the Pyrzyce district (West Pomerania), growers are increasingly turning to soilless greenhouse and tunnel production using coconut substrate and fertigation to meet consumer expectations for consistent quality and to limit disease risk. This technology is gaining popularity but still represents a small share of national supply compared to traditional open-field production.
Compiled from Polish trade press (2026-06-18)