Poland is the second strawberry producer in the EU

Poland is the second, after Spain, a producer of strawberries in the European Union with 15 percent. market share. In 2024, the production of these fruits amounted to 159 thousand. tons – the National Agricultural Support Center informed. Strawberries belong to the most liked fruit by our compatriots.

According to KOWR data, in 2023 Poland occupied the ninth position in the production of strawberries on the global market and the second (2024) among European Union countries. China has been number one on the strawberry market for many years with a production of over 4.2 million tonnes (in 2023) and the United States with collections exceeding 1.2 million tons. In the EU, the largest producer is Spain with a 28 % participation in community production. Italy with 11 percent also belong to significant producers. participation and Germany (10 %).

Strawberries in Poland are among the most popular and anticipated seasonal fruits, which results from research done a few years ago by the research company Kantar. According to them, 66 percent Poles ate strawberries several times a week in the season. The growing availability also favors the consumption of strawberries. Currently, the season for these fruits begins at the beginning of the second quarter thanks to fruit, among others from greenhouse crops and lasts until late autumn, when the fruits of the fruiting varieties are available.

Last year, strawberry collections in Poland amounted to 159 thousand. tons and were 12 percent Lower than in 2023, the size of the collection largely depends on the weather conditions, therefore it hesitates. For example, in 2016, as many as 197,000 were collected in the country. tons of strawberries; In 2020 it was 185,000 tone. The lowest collections in recent years were in 2019, when 146 thousand were collected. tons of strawberries.

Polish climate and gleb conditions also favor strawberries. The share of strawberry cultivation area in the total national blueberry area is about 24 percent, but the area of ​​strawberry plantations has been decreasing for several years. In 2016, they were at 50.6 thousand. hectares, last year Only on an area of ​​28.9 thousand ha This means an increase in plantation efficiency, weaker varieties are converted by more fertile.

Strawberry production is carried out primarily on smaller family farms, most often plantations do not exceed 10 hectares. The largest areas of cultivation are located in the Masovian Voivodeship (54 percent of the national area of ​​strawberry cultivation in 2024), Lublin, Łódź and Świętokrzyskie.

The significant volume of national strawberry collections is directed to export. In the years 2016–2024, 50 to 70 percent were sold abroad. domestic production of these fruits. According to data from the Ministry of Finance, 80,000 were exported from Poland from Poland. tons of strawberries (of which 64,000 tons of frozen strawberries and 16,000 tons of fresh fruit), i.e. by 1 percent less than in 2023

Poland is a leading world exporter of frozen strawberries. In the years 2016–2024, 60-118 thousand were exported from Poland a year. tons of frozen strawberries, which accounted for 34–60 percent participation in national strawberry collections.

The KOWR Analysis and Strategy Office informs that in 2024, despite the decrease in the volume of exports of strawberries, an increase in its value was noted. The revenues from the export of these fruits were at the level of EUR 143 million and were 2 percent. larger than in 2023, including as much as 81 percent They constituted revenues from the export of frozen strawberries.

The largest recipient of frozen strawberries from Poland is the EU, where nearly 90 percent hit. volume of exports of this product (57 thousand tons). Frozen strawberries went primarily to Germany (19,000 tons), France (8,000 tons) and the Netherlands (7,000 tons). About 54 percent were exported to these countries. total frozen strawberry volume.

Fresh strawberry exports are on a much smaller scale. In the years 2016–2024 from Poland exported from 6,000. tons up to 20 thousand tons of fresh strawberries, which accounted for 3 to 12 percent. domestic strawberry collections. In 2024, the dominant direction of export were non -EU countries (76 percent of the total volume).

About 50 varieties of strawberries are registered in Poland, which are characterized by, among others varied terms of fruiting. Popular early varieties that result in already in May are, among others: “Kama”, “Kent”, “Honeoye”. Frequently encountered medium -early varieties fruiting at the turn of June and July are: “Sengana Sengana”, “Elkat”, “Onebor”. Popular late varieties include “Pandora” and “Bogota”.

Truskka Kashubian – a traditional product of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, was entered into the EU register of protected geographical markings in 2009. It differs from strawberries grown in other regions of the country with a higher sugar content in fruit. This is due to the specific microclimate of the Kashubian Lake District.

In addition, on the list of traditional products run by the Ministry of Agriculture, containing products with exceptional properties resulting from the use of traditional production methods are: strawberry from the Puławy commune, Truskawka Zwoleńska, Kashubian strawberry, Buska strawberry favorite and Bielińska strawberry. (PAP)

Anna Wysoczańska

AWY/ Mick/ LM/