Polish Red Pepper Season Opens with High Prices Amid 20% Drop in Sown Area

Polish red peppers have entered wholesale markets, but the area under cultivation has fallen by over 20% year-on-year, impacting early supply and pricing.

At the Bronisze wholesale market near Warsaw, domestic red peppers became available at the start of July 2026. The wholesale price for Polish red peppers currently stands at about €2.8/kg (12 PLN/kg), reflecting limited early supply. Green peppers are selling at €1.4–1.6/kg (6–7 PLN/kg), while light yellow peppers ('blondynka') fetch around €1.6/kg (7 PLN/kg).

The total area of pepper cultivation in Poland in 2026 is 2,153.7 ha, down by 555.9 ha (20.5%) compared to 2025. Mazowieckie remains the main production region, accounting for 1,628.9 ha, or over three-quarters of the national total. The Przysucha county alone covers 802.96 ha, with the Potworów commune reporting 490.93 ha under peppers.

The reduction in sown area follows several years of high production and is attributed to increasing production costs, difficulties in securing seasonal labor, unstable profitability, and weather-related risks. These factors have led to a significant cut in plantings in 2026, especially in the main pepper-growing regions.

Demand for Polish peppers remains strong at the start of the season, but the lower supply is keeping prices elevated. As more batches reach the market in July, price declines are expected, although the scale may be limited by the reduced area and labor bottlenecks.

Weather conditions in late June and early July included high temperatures, increasing the risk of stress on pepper crops and potentially affecting both yields and quality in the main production regions.

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