The Polish apple season has proven to be difficult, growers have issues with the workforce and prices have dropped by 70-80% compared to last season. Anna Litwin from Ewa-Bis likes to think in solutions though, and she sees possibilities in the organic sector.
Anna is responsible for the organic apples and other organic products at Ewa-Bis. Where everybody is focusing on the negative side regarding the Polish apples, she hopes there will be opportunities ahead when it comes to the organic apples: “The season has been very difficult with an estimated harvest around 4.5 million tons of Polish apples. There’s no denying the season is tough, as the prices of the apples have dropped by about 70-80% while we’re producing about 40% more in volumes. The money growers earn doesn’t cover the expenses they have to make.”
Although Litwin expects Poland will cultivate less apples next year, there’s no certainty when it comes to that: “Because growing apples has been so successful, people are still planting apple trees. The trees themselves should grow less apples, but the volume of trees is unpredictable. Farmers really hope the government or even the European powers will do something to help the growers. Until then we have to do everything we can to introduce the Polish apples to new markets. Ewa-Bis tries to attend about 30 exhibitions during the year. For instance we’ve only just returned from a fair in India and we will attend Fruit Attraction in Madrid later this month.”
Being specialized in the organic produce of Ewa-Bis, Litwin sees opportunities within her field. “The prices of organic apples are about three times the price of regular apples. Companies are currently in the process of getting their certifications, so I expect a lot more Polish growers to ‘go organic’ next year. As for this year we’re confident we’ll be able to sell our apples to our current clients, but we’ll have to think ahead to not encounter the same problems next season.”
Ewa-Bis will attend Fruit Attraction in Madrid, you can find their stand at 9D11.
For more information;
Anna Litwin
P.P.H. “Ewa-Bis” Sp. z o.o.
tel. +48 722-277-011
Email: anna.litwin@ewabis.com.pl
www.ewabis.com.pl