17:12 7 October 2023
Polish fruit growers facing major challenges
Polish fruit growers have been facing two unfavorable trends in recent times. First, most traditional export markets have been closed, in countries of Eastern Europe. As a result, the revenue situation for producers is very difficult. On the other hand, production costs are rising, even compared to the competition in Western Europe, for example in France, Germany, Belgium, or the Netherlands. The most important cost driver is of course electricity. However, there are also costs such as fertilizers, plant protection products, and agricultural fuels, which are also rising.
"Unfortunately, the energy costs are so high that many fruit growers in the previous season, as well as in this season, are considering whether to put the fruit in cold storage and risk selling them for an unknown price, for example in the spring or selling them immediately," Mirosław Maliszewski, president of the Polish Fruit Growers' Association, said.
