We haven't seen a season like this in terms of good weather in the last 40 years," exclaimed Marek Marzec from Ewa-Bis. "There is usually something that happens over the course of the growing period, at least one big hail storm causing around 5-10% losses. Although we are going to have huge harvest which can bring down prices, we also have a huge amount of good quality apples which gives us more opportunity for long distance exports."
Marek Marzek, founder of Ewa-Bis.
Witold Boguta, president of the board of Poland’s National Union of Fruit Producers' Groups and vegetables, has announced that the country is anticipating an apple harvest even larger than the record 4.2 million tonne crop of 2016.
"Growers need to be smart to survive and I believe the key is placing the utmost importance on quality over quantity. Every one is looking to new markets, but these new destinations only want the best and even though we expect to have a huge harvest this year, there won't be an oversupply of top quality apples to really compete in the export market," stressed Marcin Świątek from apple producer/exporter, Bialski Owoc.
Marek from Ewa-Bis also thinks that long distance exports will offer good opportunities; "The extra sunshine has brought really good colouration and quality, and I think that there are a lot of opportunities for growers this season in India. India is a huge market with high consumption and we are able to offer them premium apples for a good price. Gala is still the variety most in demand there, but we have been busy in the last couple of years introducing them to Polish varieties like Idared, and the market is growing for that apple year on year."
There has been a huge discussion amongst Polish fruit growers the last couple of months about the low prices they have been receiving, which often does not even cover the cost of production. There are hopes that, with the new elections, which are currently taking place, that the government will initiate subsidies for growers and come up with solutions for low prices.
Producers for industry apples are already feeling the effects of the record production estimated for 2018.
"Industrial apple growers are currently receiving only 1/3 of the price it costs to produce, bringing huge losses. We are waiting on the European and International prices for deep frozen, which could have a positive influence on the season," said Marek.
Although the apple season for the main Polish varieties like Gala, Idared and Jonagored is set to begin in September, the season has already start for early domestic varieties like Geneva, Piros and Paula Red. According to a recent report, new season apples are reported to be between PLN2.70-3.60 per kilo (USD0.73-0.98/kg) in wholesale markets.
"Although the early variety apples have the potential to have good prices, I have observed a lot of growers pulling out the early varieties and replacing them with the standard later varieties. It's tricky because the market isn't very stable and the apples are extremely delicate, which can cause losses. The apples can only be picked by hand because they bruise very easily. Many are deciding that it's just not worth the risk and the hassle," confirms Marcin.
For more information:
Marcin Świątek
Bialski Owoc Sp. z o.o.
Tel: +48 533-205-500
Email: m.swiatek@bialskiowoc.com
www.bialskiowoc.com
Bialski Owoc Sp. z o.o.
Tel: +48 533-205-500
Email: m.swiatek@bialskiowoc.com
www.bialskiowoc.com