The frost in Poland has had a negative effect on production for the next season. Looking at the current situation, though, prices are going through the roof, says Jakub Krawczyk, export manager for Polish apple exporter Appolonia: "After the frost, we can see that the apple production for the new season will be slightly lower. There is some damage, particularly to varieties like Jonagold, but it's still too early to estimate exactly how much the yield will be reduced. We need more time to assess the situation. Looking at the current market situation in Poland, apple prices have skyrocketed over the past three weeks. We haven't seen such a dramatic price increase since the COVID-19 pandemic. Most customers are struggling to keep up with the new prices. Polish supermarkets are especially vocal, complaining about the sharp rise and refusing to accept the higher rates. However, some buyers have agreed to the new pricing, and as a result, we're seeing a lot of orders right now."
Demand for apples is very strong, which basically means getting a cheap apple is close to impossible, Krawczyk states. "At the moment, every available apple on the market has multiple buyers willing to pay high prices directly to growers, making it nearly impossible to find cheap fruit. We still have good stock, and the customers who accepted the new prices will continue receiving products from us. That said, most buyers are shocked when we inform them of the current prices. It's unclear whether the price has already peaked or if it will continue to rise; the situation remains highly unstable."
"There are already some visible signs of frost damage, such as russeting. Many apples have also fallen from the trees, so thinning may not be necessary this season. The good news is that southern Poland was not affected by the frost as severely as it was last season. It's worth noting that in some regions last year, there were almost no apples at all."
There's still some time to go before the new Polish apple season starts, and there's still a lot that can happen and needs to be assessed, Krawczyk explains. "At this stage, it's difficult to predict what the demand will be for the upcoming season. First, we need to know more about the quality and quantity of the crop, which we'll be able to assess no earlier than August or September. In the meantime, we still have a lot of work with the apples stored in our chambers. Our current focus is on selling them at the favorable prices that are now available for growers. At the moment, the rising prices can help compensate for the losses incurred throughout the season, especially for those who still have apple stocks."
Krawczyk says that one specific apple variety is gaining popularity, but isn't growing in terms of production as much: "Gala Royal remains very popular, clients across all regions recognize it, so it's relatively easy to sell when the quality is good. Red Jonaprince and Golden Delicious are also in steady demand, and many customers specifically look for these varieties. We've noticed that there aren't many new Jonagored orchards being planted, but we believe there could be strong demand for it in the future, especially when it comes from young trees with good coloration. As for Red Chief/Red Delicious, we primarily export it within Europe, although many producers are now also shipping it to India. That variety has developed a solid client base in both markets."
According to Krawczyk, rather than growing acreage for apples, there is more of a focus on increasing the yield. "Apple acreage in Poland has remained mostly stable in recent years. Instead of expanding, many growers focus on modernizing orchards with high-density planting to increase yields. Changes are driven by market demand for better quality fruit, economic factors, and climate challenges. Overall, the trend is toward improving efficiency rather than increasing total acreage. What's encouraging is the growing number of Conference pear orchards in Poland. The quality is excellent, and having more pears available allows us to expand our customer portfolio even further," he concludes.
For more information:
Jakub Krawczyk
Appolonia
Tel: +48 785 342 930
Email: [email protected]
www.appolonia.pl