Polish apples have received some negative attention in the media recently, ranging from expensive workers, disappointing export markets and even the outright waste of produce. Some of that news has been exaggerated according to Michał Glijer from Grupa Sad Export, especially when it comes to the Chinese market.
The deal where China would take large volumes of Polish apples started in 2016. A lot went wrong that season, according to Michał Glijer from Grupa Sad Export: “The paperwork was not in order, Poland expected to be able to start shipping right away when the season started. We had apples stored, just laying around, waiting to be exported to China, but this did not actually happen until the middle of December or even the beginning of 2017.”
Some companies had also an issue with the logistics of it all. Customers wanted apples, but were closer to the centre of China. This means that after the apples reached the East coast port, they still had to travel another 1500km to their destination. By the time the apples finally got where they were supposed to be, the quality had dropped.
The second season did not go much better, although this was no fault of China: “During the second season Poland did not have the volume and quality that was required due to destructive frosts in the Spring."
The two consecutive, unsuccessful seasons have caused recent negative PR when it comes to export of Polish apples to China. “This is very unfortunate as the current season is exceptionally good as far as good quality and volumes are considered. Many growers gave up on the orchard certification process, which is time consuming and exporters need to pay for it, but without this the export to China is not possible.."
Glijer continues: "We have gathered certificates covering more than 6000 tons and we believe that only after this season we can do the right judgement of the apples export to China. Due to their loss of about 30 per cent of the apples, it’s natural that China’s interest in Polish apples will only increase in the upcoming months. And let’s not forget the big trade war between the US and China. It all makes our apples more attractive. We’ve had delegations of different buyers from China and they’ve all tasted the quality of the Polish apples and were very satisfied. So once we deliver the first shipments, it will be proven that people were exaggerating when it comes to China’s unwillingness to buy our apples.”
For more information;
Michał Glijer
Grupa Sad Export
Mobile: +48 507 091 677
Email: michal.glijer@grupasadexport.pl
www.GrupaSadExport.pl