Sharp Quality Drop and Price Volatility for Strawberries in Central Poland
Polish strawberry supply in late June 2026 is marked by falling availability of premium fruit, large price differences, and rapid sales for high-quality batches. Heavy rainfall and disease have sharply reduced the share of dessert-grade strawberries on the market.
Wholesale trading in strawberries on the Polish market has shown strong volatility in prices, closely tied to fruit quality. On the Bronisze wholesale market and in the Rawa Mazowiecka region, 18 June 2026, medium-quality strawberries were sold at €5.1–5.4/kg (22–23 PLN/kg per 2 kg punnet), while high-quality fruit fetched €5.8–6.1/kg (25–26 PLN/kg). The highest prices were recorded for Asia and Tea varieties, reaching up to €6.5/kg (28 PLN/kg), and in cases of temporary shortages, up to €7.0/kg (30 PLN/kg). However, the majority of fruit offered was of lower quality, and buyers paid much less for such produce.
At the farm-gate, strawberries for processing with hulls in the Grójec region fell from €1.0/kg (4.20 PLN/kg) to about €0.8/kg (3.50 PLN/kg) by 18 June 2026, reflecting the surge in lower-quality fruit and a shift in supply from the fresh market to processors. Selective harvest is now common, with only premium fruit directed to wholesale or retail, and the rest to processing points.
The Polish strawberry season is ending rapidly, with late varieties such as Malwina, Florence, and Faith expected to finish by the end of June. Multiple sources report that in July, field-grown Polish strawberries will be mostly absent from the market. The season was shaped by extreme weather: severe spring frosts (down to -9°C at ground level in some regions) reduced yields, while heavy rainfall—up to 50–100 mm in a few days—during the ripening period led to widespread grey mould and poor fruit shelf-life.
Demand for premium strawberries remains strong, with rapid sales at wholesale markets for batches meeting quality standards. Some sellers report that top-quality fruit is often purchased immediately upon arrival, with little need for market display. Meanwhile, local enforcement in cities like Łódź issued over 250 fines in the first half of June for unauthorized street sales of soft fruit, mainly strawberries, reflecting continued high interest in direct-to-consumer trade.
In western Poland’s Pyrzyce county, some producers have adopted soilless tunnel cultivation using coconut substrate and fertigation to maintain quality and reduce disease risk. However, the bulk of the national crop remains field-grown and has suffered from this year’s adverse weather.
Compiled from Polish trade press (2026-06-23)