Polish pepper acreage drops 20% in 2026; Mazowsze remains key region

Poland’s cultivated area of peppers fell by over 550 hectares in 2026, a 20.5% decrease year-on-year, with Mazowsze region still accounting for more than three quarters of national production.

Data from ARiMR show that in 2026 the total area under pepper cultivation in Poland reached 2,153.65 hectares, down from 2,709.55 hectares in 2025. This is the most significant reduction in recent years, reversing a previous trend of expansion. The reduction is attributed to high production costs, increased seasonal labor expenses, price volatility, and weather risks affecting grower decisions.

The Mazowsze region continued to dominate pepper production, with 1,628.86 hectares in 2026, representing over 75% of the national total. Within Mazowsze, the Przysucha county leads with 802.96 hectares, followed by Białobrzegi (389.52 ha) and Radom (308.75 ha) counties. The municipality of Potworów remains the largest single production area, with 490.93 hectares.

Trade data and concrete price quotations for peppers in Poland for early July 2026 are not provided in the available sources. However, reports indicate that producers have faced significant price fluctuations and uncertain profitability in recent seasons, which has directly contributed to the area reduction.

Demand for labor remains a key constraint for the sector, particularly in intensive production areas. The ongoing difficulty in recruiting seasonal workers for harvest and other field tasks continues to impact both the scale and efficiency of pepper cultivation.

Weather-related risks and unpredictable production costs have been cited by growers as important factors behind the declining acreage, with many producers in central Poland expressing concern about the long-term sustainability of current production levels.

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