Polish Cherry Market: Imports Pressure Prices, Wide Range at Wholesale
Wholesale markets in Poland are seeing a large influx of imported cherries, with domestic supplies reduced due to spring frost damage. Prices for cherries remain highly variable by region, variety and size.
The 2026 cherry season in Poland is marked by lower domestic supply following significant spring frost damage, which has reduced yields in many orchards. In regions such as Bronisławka, growers estimate harvests at 50–60% of normal levels, with losses varying by location and frost protection used. Early varieties like Sweet Ariana suffered the most, while protected plots of Kordia and other later varieties fared better. Weather events included night temperatures down to -4°C and localised damage depending on orchard microclimate.
The shortfall in Polish cherries is being offset by a flood of imports, mainly from Greece, Serbia, and Turkey. At the Kraków Rybitwy wholesale market, imported cherries have dominated supply, with importers offering product at €3.3/kg (14 PLN/kg), sometimes quoting prices up to €3.8/kg (16 PLN/kg) but selling lower for larger volumes. Domestic Burlat cherries in Kraków were described as almost unsaleable due to competition from cheaper imports.
On the Bronisze wholesale market near Warsaw, domestic cherry prices ranged from €4.2–5.9/kg (18–25 PLN/kg) in mid-June 2026. The large-fruited Carmen variety was at the upper end (€5.9/kg), while Summit was traded at €4.2–4.7/kg (18–20 PLN/kg). Smaller-calibre fruit commanded lower prices. Other wholesale markets showed similar variability: Łódź Zjazdowa €3.3–5.9/kg (14–25 PLN/kg), Lublin Elizówka €3.5–4.7/kg (15–20 PLN/kg), and Kalisz market about €3.5/kg (15 PLN/kg). In Poznań, a 5-kg crate of cherries cost €18.9–21.2 (80–90 PLN) per box.
On Warsaw's Hala Mirowska retail market, prices were highly dispersed, from €3.8/kg (16 PLN/kg) up to €9.4/kg (40 PLN/kg) for premium, large, dark-red varieties. Summit cherries were at €3.5/kg (15 PLN/kg), Burlat at €3.8–4.2/kg (16–18 PLN/kg), and Vega at €7.1/kg (30 PLN/kg). The highest prices were for largest-calibre and darkest fruit.
Imports continue to fill the gap in domestic supply, with Polish supermarkets and wholesalers preferring large, homogenous batches from foreign suppliers due to logistics and price. Domestic supply is expected to increase as later varieties reach peak harvest, but quality and availability remain affected by earlier adverse weather and ongoing rain, which is causing fruit cracking in some orchards.
Compiled from Polish trade press (2026-06-17)