In 2010/11, Poland’s fruit and vegetable output recorded notable declines due to adverse weather patterns. Tighter raw material stocks should reflect itself in lower output of fruit and vegetable preserves for nearly every product. In 2011/12, horticultural production should rebound but farmers and processors must face new challenges holding unforeseen consequences on the market, such as rising costs, lingering concerns over E Coli and Russia’s embargo of Polish fresh vegetables. Initial forecasts are for increased production of juices and exports of fresh apples, stronger export prices for strawberries but weaker for fresh apples and apple juice.
2010/11 Production
The 2010 fruit crop in Poland amounted to 2.7 million tons, which was 25 percent lower than in the previous year. Tree fruit crops were lower by 29 percent (including 30 percent fall in apples) and berry fruits by 3 percent. Only raspberry, chokeberry, and high bush blueberry crops were higher than in 2009. Production of field vegetables fell by 12 percent to 4.25 million tons. The biggest losses were reported for onions, cabbages, carrots and cauliflowers. Production of vegetables under cover decreased by 4 percent and is estimated at 760,000 tons. Decrease of the production in Poland resulted from unfavorable weather conditions for crop husbandry during the whole 2010/11 growing season. Fruit preserve production decreased by 10 percent to 730,000 tons. Total production of soft juices, nectars, and fruit and vegetable drinks decreased to 1.55 million tons in 2010/11 from 1.59 million tons in 2009/10. Production of concentrated soft fruit juice decreased more than 25 percent and is estimated at the level of 35,000 tons. The highest drop was reported for concentrated apple juice (by approximately 33 percent) and concentrated cherry juice (by 75 percent). Production of concentrated apple juice is estimated at the level of 140,000 tons and cherry juice at only 3,500 tons. Production of concentrated strawberry juice decreased by 40 percent to only 4,000 tons, and concentrated raspberry juice fell by 20 percent to 1,900 tons. In 2010/11 production of concentrated red currants juice decreased to 3,000 tons from 3,200, and production of concentrated chokeberry juice decreased to 4,500 tons from 5,000. Only production of concentrated black currant juice increased from 12,500 to 13,000 tons. In 2010/11 frozen fruit production decreased by 5 percent (to 310,000 tons), mainly due to decrease of strawberry, tart cherry, plum, red currants and gooseberry. Production of frozen black currant has been reported stable, and frozen raspberries noted 5 percent increase.
In 2010/11 vegetable preserves production remained flat at approximately 1 million tons; only the production of dry vegetable and tomato concentrate production was reported to be lower.
2010/11 export and import
Institute of Food Economics reported that 2010/11 export of nearly all fruits, vegetables and preserves was lower than in the 2009/10 season. Only the export of cucumbers, tinned vegetables and dried vegetables was reported to be higher. The total export of fresh fruits and vegetables in 2010/11 amounted to approximately 1 million tons, compared to 1.4 million tons in 2009/10. The deciding factor was the lower export of apples and onions. Export of fruit and vegetable preserves decreased by 14 percent to 1.06 million tons (1.23 million tons in 2009/10). The largest reduction (36 percent) was reported for fruit juice concentrates (to 170,000 tons). Frozen fruit export decreased by 6 percent to 270,000 tons. Frozen vegetable export fell by 10 percent to 300,000 tons. The import of so called exotic fruit and preserves was lower (mainly reserved for concentrated citrus juice). Import of nearly all vegetable products increased (mainly onion, cruciferous vegetable, and tomato concentrate); however decreases were noted for cucumber, lettuces, pickled vegetable and canned corn.
In 2010/11, both export and import prices of most fruit, vegetable, and their preserves increased year over year. As a result, incomes from exports increased by 5 percent (equivalent to EUR 1.67 billion) while the import value of the whole product complex increased by 14 percent (equivalent to EUR 1.79 billion). The negative balance of foreign trade balance for this complex, however, turned negative (EUR 127 million); in comparison to a 2009/10 positive balance (EUR 11 million).
Source: USDA Gain Report (8-7-2011)
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