In 2013, Polish growers harvested 45,000 tonnes of sweet cherries, 185,000 tonnes of cherries and 145,000 tonnes of black currant. Growers also produced 170,000 tonnes of strawberries and 125,000 tonnes of raspberries. A decline in harvest volumes is only expected this year for apples, but producers of other fruits are also weary about the future.
"We expect the apple harvest this season to be smaller than in previous years, up to 500,000 tonnes smaller than in 2013," says Mirosław Maliszewski, president of the Association of Polish Fruit-Growers. The main reasons for this are the early spring frosts and the impact of fungal diseases. In 2013, Poland harvested 2.6 million tonnes of apples and this year's volumes on the market will be more than 20% smaller.
Fortunately for consumers, the effects of the weather and diseases have not contributed to an increase in prices, as the domestic apple market is very well supplied. Export volumes, however, will be slightly smaller than last year.
The black currant problem
Unfortunately, black currant growers have a much greater cause for concern this year. The National Association of Black Currant Growers (KSPCP) reports that prices currently being proposed do not even cover the cost of harvesting and transporting the fruit. The KSPCP affirms that, in view of the current market situation, many households may go bankrupt. "The prices currently proposed by the processing plants barely cover one third of the production costs," says Mirosław Maliszewski.
This may have some negative consequences. Firstly, growers will not harvest currants, and secondly, some plantations will be eliminated, which is a worse solution, as a year may come when these fruits may become very expensive and/or be in such short supply that not all consumers will have access to them.
This year's prices
Currently, at the Bronisze wholesale market, sweet cherries are sold for 5-11 zł per kilo (in Warsaw they cost 8-15 zł/kilo), raspberries stand at 7-9 zł per kilo (Warsaw market - 12-14 zł/kilo) cherries reach 6-7 zł/kilo and strawberries are sold for between 2.3-4 zł/kilo.
Source: metromsn.gazeta.pl
