Polish apple exports increased more than 400% in 26 years

"For many years, the apple has been one of the most important fruits in the Polish fruit sector. Their share of total fruit production is currently higher than 70%," says Prof. Dr. Eberhard Makosz of the Polish Association for the promotion of fruit orchards. "The first period of dynamic growth was between 1918 and 1960. From 1960, a new type of apple orchards was implemented, based on the American model of apple production. The dominant varieties were McIntosh, Jonathan, Cortland, Lobo and Idared. The acreage was 150,000 hectares and the average annual production reached between 1.3 and 1.5 million tons. Of this amount, about half was processed as juice. The juice was exported to various countries with a record export volume of 224,000 tons in 1986. With yields of 20 tons per hectare of average quality apples, revenues were high, especially in the years 1970 to 1978. The first cold storage facilities were built in those days."

The production potential of Polish apple orchards grows continuously by new plantings. In the coming years, Poland may reach 4.2 million tons of production under normal weather conditions. In such a situation, at least 2.2 million tons is to be processed into juice, and exports must amount to 1.3 to 1.4 million tons.

Largest export volume in the world
Makosz says that a lot has changed in apple production since 2000. "New apple orchards were based on Western European models. The cultivated varieties have changed. In the first years since 2000, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Sampion, Gloster, Idared and Gala varieties were dominant. The average yields were good and under normal circumstances, these varied between 40 and 60 tons per hectare. The total production in the last five years ranged from 3 to 3.8 million tons. In season 2012/2013 exports totalled 1.2 million tons, the largest volume in the world. When you look at an export volume of 224,000 tons in 1986, and 1.2 million tons in 2012, you’re looking at an increase of 435% in 26 years."

In many ways, Poland is dependent on the apple export. "The production of around 3.5 million tons, including 1.8 million consumer apples, should bring export to 1.2 million tons. In the 2012/2013 season was the first to reach this mark. The main client until now has been Russia. The Russians receive about 60% of total exports. Exports to EU countries are 15% of the total export volume. The high export to Russia is possible because lower quality apples, including Idared, can be sold there. But Poland needs to find new markets."

First in the world
With production surpassing 3 million tons, Poland ranks first in Europe as apple producing country, and third in the world, after China and the USA. Prof. Dr. Eberhard Makosz: "Given the current level of production and selling prices, Polish apples represent stiff competition for many EU countries. Poland in turn, can’t compete with countries that export the Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji and Granny Smith varieties, which take up a marginal position in Polish exports. The leading varieties are Idared, Jonagold, Sampion, Gloster, Lobo and Cortland. The export of apple juice lies somewhere between 190,000 and 275,000 tons, exports of apple trees totalling three to four million units."

Price
"To maintain a balanced price on the European market, Poland can’t produce more than 3.5 million tons of apples, and the share of consumption apples can’t exceed 50%." The professor believes that the number of well-organized apple growers' organizations and cooperatives will increase. "The capacity of storage in controlled atmosphere continues to increase. 10 years ago, that capacity was 200,000 tons; now it’s nearly 850,000 tons. The next few years will reach 1 million tons. In addition, both labour and production costs will continue to increase," he concludes.