Poland: One of the largest producers of berries in the world
General Information: Area planted and production
Poland’s 2013 total production of berries is estimated at 564 thousand metric tonnes. This represents a two percent increase in comparison to the 2012 production. After the 2013 winter berry plantations across Poland emerged in good shape. Unlike in 2012 there were no loses reported due to winter kill of plants as snow cover protected plants from freezing. The late spring in 2013 resulted in delayed sprouting of spring vegetation. Heavy rains in June matched with a short growth period dampened strawberry plant growth but had little impact on other berry yields. Weather conditions during flowering and fruit setting were very good for a majority of berry plants. In late summer the lack of moisture affected plantations without irrigation system leading to a smaller crop of raspberries.
Source: Polish Office of Statistics, 2013 / e – Estimate, Institute of Agriculture and Food Economics in Warsaw
Source: Polish Office of Statistics, 2013 / e – Estimate, Institute of Agriculture and Food Economics in Warsaw
Strawberries
The 2013 strawberry crop faced another year of unfavourable weather during the production cycle. A long winter season delayed initial strawberry plant emergence by about two weeks. Some varieties of strawberries proved to be more sensitive to the late spring than other varietal. Heavy rains in early June flooded fields destroying patches in the process or significantly hindering application of plant protection measures and other agricultural practices leading to other problems with plant quality. Farmers on many plantations reported lose due to gray mould and fungal diseases. Nevertheless due to the increased acreage, the 2013 harvest was 10 percent higher than the previous year’s crop.
In 2012 the strawberry crop totalled only 150 TMT, the lowest amount in the last ten years. In 2012 low winter temperatures damaged many strawberry plantations unprotected with snow cover. Despite subsidies received from the EU overall profit of strawberry production has been very low for the last two seasons in Poland as many farmers had to invest in restoration of degraded plantations.
Raspberries
In 2012, Poland became the largest producer of raspberries in the world with a crop that achieved a record 127 TMT output. In 2013, the raspberry harvest is estimated at 121 TMT, or 4.8 percent less than last year, but still 76 percent higher than the 2006-2011 average. Prior to EU accession Poland's average production amounted to 50 TMT. Due to increased acreage and improved technology Poland effectively doubled its raspberry production. Since 2008 EU subsidies have helped spur on expansion of this sector.
Currants
Poland is the leading producer of currants in the world. In 2013 production is estimated at 198 TMT, or 1.5 percent higher than the previous year. Black currant production, 150 TMT, constitutes 76 percent of total currant production. Poland accounts for over 60 percent of the worlds production of currants according to data released by the Ministry Statistical Office (MSO). However, according to the International Blackcurrant Association - IBA, Poland’s 2013 black currant harvest amounted to 105 TMT. The large difference between the two organizations data for black currant production may be attributed to the fact that MSO reports total production which includes commercial output, household gardens and orchards estimates.
The volatility in current purchase prices can vary 100-200 percent year-to-year. This is due, in part, to the large dispersion of producers around the country, and to the lack of integration and poor market power of these producers with respect to the processing industry. In periods of high production, like in 2013, the very low market prices discourage some producers from harvesting their crop.
Chokeberries
Since 2010, chokeberry plantation acreage has remained constant mostly due to volatility in procurement prices. Regardless, Poland still holds 90 percent of world production according to industry. But like the current sector, the chokeberry sector is defined by a lack of central producer organization and by heavy producer dependence on a few large processing companies as their market outlet. In 2013, the large crop depressed the chokeberry market, and as witnessed with some current producers, some chokeberry producers opted not to harvest.
Blueberries
Poland is the world’s third largest producer of blueberry after the U.S. and Canada. The 2013 blueberry crop is estimated at 12 TMT. Blueberry plantations are highly modernized and concentrated in contrast to the majority of other types of berry plantations in Poland. The area under cultivation has steadily expanded since Poland’s EU accession. This trend is expected to continue. Production of dessert fruits for export has been the main direction of development for this sector as domestic demand is small and stable. The main importers of Polish blueberries are Germany and the United Kingdom.
Source: USDA