Kazakhstan Import Ban and Weak Demand Pressure Polish Apple Trade
Kazakhstan will impose a ban on Polish apple imports from August to December 2026, coinciding with weak domestic demand and low prices for early apple varieties in Poland.
Kazakhstan is set to introduce a ban on apple imports, including those from Poland, effective 1 August through 31 December 2026. Poland has been a key supplier to the Kazakh market, with the total value of Polish agri-food exports to Kazakhstan reaching about €107 million in 2025, apples being among the top commodities. Polish authorities have formally protested the ban, citing the absence of any phytosanitary issues with Polish apples exported to Kazakhstan.
On the domestic market, early summer apple varieties such as Early Geneva, Papierówka, and Piros are trading at relatively low prices due to subdued demand. At the Bronisze wholesale market (Warsaw), as of 29 July 2026, Early Geneva apples are priced at €0.7–1.3/kg (3–5.5 PLN/kg), Gala at €0.6–0.8/kg (2.5–3.5 PLN/kg), Golden Delicious at €0.6–0.9/kg (2.5–3.75 PLN/kg), and Ligol at €0.5–0.7/kg (2.25–3 PLN/kg). Other varieties include Cortland at €0.7–1.2/kg (3–5 PLN/kg), Empire at €0.6–0.9/kg (2.5–4 PLN/kg), Jonagored at €0.5–0.8/kg (2–3.5 PLN/kg), and Lobo at €0.7–0.9/kg (2.85–4 PLN/kg).
Farm-gate prices for sorted apples in June 2026 were reported at €0.6/kg (2.70 PLN/kg), a nearly 40% drop compared to the previous year. Prices paid to growers for varieties such as Prince, Ligol, and Szampion for sorting were €0.4/kg (1.60 PLN/kg), while Idared was even lower at €0.3/kg (1.30 PLN/kg). These prices have since fallen further in late July.
Demand for early apples remains low, attributed to competition from other seasonal fruits such as soft fruit and stone fruit. Wholesale representatives report only modest buyer interest despite the arrival of new summer varieties.
Recent rainfall has increased humidity in orchards, which has led to some disease pressure, particularly in Golden Delicious blocks where leaf spot symptoms have appeared. Good soil moisture is currently supporting fruit growth and late-season fertilization in high-yielding orchards.
Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker · Illustrative image generated by AI