The first Polish initiative bringing together three Polish blueberry producers’ organizations: Polskie Jagody, Podkarpacka Grupa Producentów Borówki Elliot and BerryGroup from Wielkopolska was started five years ago. The three actors developed a joint market strategy. They came up with a concept for cooperation with customers throughout the supply chain, as well as their own harvesting standards which are higher than those the industry had used before. Together, they started promoting Polish blueberries and the BerryGood. This year's Fruit Logistica was an opportunity to summarize the achievements and celebrate the anniversary.
The five-year anniversary was an opportunity to remember the history of the first integration of large blueberry producer groups in Poland.
"Polish blueberries have become an export hit. We promoted them at trade fairs from Dubai and Almaty to Ho Chi Minh City and Tokyo. Thanks to our geographical diversification, our supplies are always reliable which has allowed us to sell fruit to more than 30 countries. This, of course, has strengthened our position. Stable supplies are very important. Integration, on the other hand, only makes sense if it is based on common standards and striving to supply top quality fruit." said Mateusz Pilch, representing BerryGroup (PBC).
The Polish Berry Cooperative has also promoted that approach among Polish growers, e.g. at annual Blueberry Conferences.
"Integration around quality has enabled us to work out higher standards. We cool down fruit in under 30 minutes from picking, so our blueberries keep their excellent quality for longer. This has given us a tremendous export success. We also developed 7 Rules of Good Harvest, as well as a complete training system – says Dariusz Zęgota, representing ELLIOT, a member of the Polish Berry Cooperative. Quality translates into an increase in Polish blueberry sales around the world. I am deeply convinced of that," added Zęgota.
The challenge for the industry today is to work together throughout the supply chain to keep the temperature at the place of sale
"With a great product in hand, we launched our brand: BerryGood. The “XXL Blueberries” product, on the other hand, has helped us to convince retail chains that there is space for premium fruits on the Polish market. However, in order to provide consumers with great quality fruit chilled within 30 minutes from picking, we still need to make sure the right temperature is kept during transport and at the place of sale. This is a very big challenge for the whole industry for the coming years. So this is what you could wish us for our 5th anniversary and for the future: that we can make it happen." said Dominika Kozarzewska, President of the Polskie Jagody Producer Organization, member of the PBC.
Fruit Logistica 2020 was an opportunity for congratulations and wishes for all members of the cooperative.
For more information:
Dominika Kozarzewska
Polish Berry Cooperative
Tel: +48 602 354 586
Email: d.kozarzewska@polskiejagody.pl