Poland: wholesale markets prepare for Easter

Warsaw - According to the press information from Warsaw Agricultural and Food Wholesale Market Bronisze, two weeks before Easter wholesale prices of most vegetables remain low due to the growing supply, increased import and the small volume of Polish export to the East. Even potatoes are relatively cheap, since their prices are only 10-50% higher compared with the situation in 2006. A further increase of potato prices was halted by the growing import of potatoes from the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as new potatoes (0,60-0,73 €/kg) from Cyprus, Greece and Spain.

White cabbage prices are around 54% lower than in 2006 due to the small volume of export and larger supply on domestic market. Domestic carrot prices also remain low, but in this case the main reason is large supply of imported carrot, which is offered almost at same prices as Polish products.

Onion is the only vegetable grown in Poland which prices are 70% higher than in 2006. But the domestic supply is small and the quality is very low. The huge import of onions is regarded as an unusual situation, never seen before. Poland, one of the leading European onion and potato producers, has to support domestic market with imported vegetables. Their quality is usually better than domestic, and although prices are higher, imported carrot finds buyers without problems.

The supply of new vegetables grown under cover grows very fast. Domestic tomatoes are still much more expensive than imported ones, but domestic cucumbers almost superseded Spanish and Dutch products. Imported radishes remain a little cheaper than Polish.

*Exchange rate:  1 € = 3,8890 PLN

Publication date: March 29 2007
Author: FreshPlaza Correspondent Poland
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