Lidl cites weather and quality issues for lack of Polish cherries in stores

During the peak season for domestically grown cherries, major Polish retailers such as Lidl have continued to stock imported fruit from Greece and Turkey. Lidl explained that adverse weather conditions in Poland – including spring frosts, hailstorms and recent heatwaves – reduced both the volume and quality of the harvest. The retailer added that early‑season Polish varieties, like the Burlat cultivar, were "very small and soft this year, which made mass sale impossible while meeting our strict quality standards." To maintain product availability, Lidl chose to offer imported cherries until sufficient domestic supplies meet its criteria.

The Polish Growers' Association has raised concerns about possible repackaging of imported cherries as domestic, prompting inspections of several suppliers. Authorities examined over 600 kg of cherries and identified labeling irregularities, underscoring the regulatory scrutiny surrounding the fruit supply chain.