The current Polish apple season has had to ride out some waves, says Adam Malengiewicz, sales manager for Polish apple exporter Ewa-Bis: “The 2022 apple season has been significantly influenced by the war in Ukraine. This war has contributed to a reduction in seasonal workers for picking apples, which in turn has had the effect of prolonging the apple harvest. Another important aspect that was caused by the war is a huge increase in energy costs. Sales of apples started with the Gala variety, almost 90% of apples were exported to countries in the Middle East.”
Malengiewicz states that they’re seeing an increase in demand from the Middle Eastern market. “Overall volumes in Poland are approximately 6% higher compared to the previous year. This season we saw an increase in sales of apples to the Middle Eastern market, and despite difficulties, a slightly lower volume of sales to the Egyptian market, our other customers ordered apples from us in similar quantities.”
It's not just the market in the Middle East that’s booming, Ewa-Bis sees an interesting opportunity in the Asian market as well: “Demand for apples has increased, especially in Asian markets, as we’re receiving lots of enquiries from there. This market will be an interesting outlet for us, which we plan to develop this year, as it is a market that’s worth investing in,” Malengiewicz explains. “In Asian markets however, container delays will be problematic. Unfortunately, we don't have a good solution for this, although we try to work with good carriers who understand our needs. For long-distance shipments, we choose apples with specifications adapted to this market.”
“I believe that it would be beneficial for the apple sector to change the form of payment in Egypt and changes that would facilitate the sale of apples. At this moment, the banks of Egypt make it hard or near impossible to export our apples towards this market. I expect that the availability of apples of good quality will allow us to ship to distant markets by the end of the year, and that we can hopefully avoid container delays,” Malengiewicz concludes.
For more information:
Adam Malengiewicz
Ewa-Bis Sp. z o.o.
Email: adam.malengiewicz@ewabis.com.pl
www.ewabis.com.pl