"There has been a decline in illegal exports to Russia, which has helped. It seems that producers have accepted that the Russian ban is something that will most likely continue for a long time. I was there 2 weeks ago, as a supervisory board member for a major Siberian retail chain, and there is just not much demand any more for Polish apples. The country is producing their own quality apples, along with imports from China. The shelves are well stocked," shared Marek.
Along with the Chinese market, India is becoming increasingly more interesting for some Polish exporters. The commercial director from Ewa-Bis is meeting customers there this week to discuss quality issues and trade. As with building up trade with any new market, there are still some wrinkles to iron out, but Marek said that Polish apples like Idared are good for long- distance transport.
"I am pretty sure there will be oversupply in Poland again this year. The weather has been fantastic, of course we still need to see what May and early June brings, but if things continue as they have been, we could be set for a record year. Technology has improved so much in the last two years and there are also new orchards that were set up a few years ago, which are now starting to produce as well."
Since the ban, Polish apple producers have been continuing to look for new markets to fill the gap made by Russia and Marek said that he thinks that has been achieved. He also shared that increasing demand for higher quality apples for the production of purees and apple pieces is also enabling growers to allow producers to sell all of their products.
"I think that the clearest indicator that Poland has recovered is the fact that exports this year are expected to be higher than before the Russian ban."
For more information:
Marek Marzec
Ewa-Bis
Tel: +48 223439800
Email: m.marzec@ewabis.com.pl
www.ewabis.com.pl