However, the situation changed rapidly with warming, which caused the fruit to ripen almost simultaneously in many regions of the country.
The result is oversupply, which quickly translated into price drops on the wholesale and retail markets.
As the website biznes.interia.pl writes, there are large differences in valuations on the largest stock exchanges. In Bronisze, Polish strawberries currently cost from PLN 5.50 to PLN 9/kg, with the average being approximately PLN 7.50/kg. Imported fruit is even cheaper and is valued at PLN 4-5/kg.
At the Kalisz Stock Exchange, domestic strawberries cost approximately PLN 12.50/kg, and imported strawberries cost approximately PLN 11/kg. In turn, at Zjazdowa Street in Łódź, Greek fruits reach PLN 12-15/kg, while Polish ones range from PLN 5-10/kg. In Wrocław, at Targpiast, prices are currently PLN 7.50-12/kg.
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Another wave of discounts
The scale of the decline is particularly visible compared to the period before the so-called “June”. At that time, wholesale strawberries still cost PLN 8-14/kg, and this was after an earlier price drop of up to 50%. The current situation means another clear wave of price reductions on the market.
Growers under increasing pressure
While consumers may enjoy lower prices, the situation is becoming increasingly difficult for producers. The problem is not only falling rates, but also high production costs and a lack of workers during harvesting.
As Maciej Kmera, an expert on the wholesale market in Bronisze, emphasizes in an interview with the WP Finanse portal, the market is approaching a level that may be borderline for many farms.
“The prices are a bit scary for producers. PLN 6-8/kg is the limit below which they will start having problems. The costs are high. Employees also have to be paid, and there are not many people willing to pick strawberries.” – says the expert.
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What does this mean for the market?
The current situation shows that the strawberry market in Poland remains very sensitive to weather conditions. Sudden warming and simultaneous ripening of fruit led to a rapid increase in supply, which immediately translated into prices.
If current conditions persist, the pressure for further reductions may increase, although for consumers this means maintaining attractive fruit prices for now.
