Polish growers are quite positive about the top fruit season. The industry price for the new season was confirmed at the start of August and is at 8 cents. "That's six cents higher than last year," says Peter van Arkel. "In western Europe the prices are usually not given until mid September, but Polish industry price tends to be a guideline for us. On average western Europe is five cents higher. That would mean that our industry prices are around 12/13 cents and that doesn't sound bad. A bottom in the market."
A lot of demand for industry fruit
"Despite last year's large harvest there is a lot of demand for industry fruit. The stocks of concentrate aren't that high. The juice from the last parties of the old harvest is very sweet. The juice of the new harvest is used to make the 'old' juice more sour. That's what the apples that have been 'thinned' are being used for."
New season
Peter van Arkel of Fruitadvies Zuid-Limburg visits Poland multiple times per year and has been working there for 10 years. Last week he spoke to a number of Polish growers. "Of course it depends on what variety and when the season ended, but in general the growers aren't dissatisfied with the last season. For the new year a lot depends on Russia in the area of sales. As far as harvest is concerned a similar volume to last year is expects, although the current drought could have a negative effect. We will have to wait and see how much rain falls. Around 40% of the growers can't give water, although these are mostly the growers who only grow industry fruit. They are mainly on strong root stocks and are less susceptible to drought."
A lot of western European growers see Polish growers as a competitor, although they were happy that they came to buy this season. "If Poland didn't get so many apples and Conference from western Europe the 2014 harvest wouldn't have been as good." He emphasises that it is a fact that the top fruit sector in Poland is big. "But we certainly shouldn't just see the negatives sides of this."
For more information: pvanarkel@ziggo.nl
For more information: pvanarkel@ziggo.nl