Poland's fruit industry expands exports and embraces self‑pick farms

Poland remains the European Union leader in the production of berries and apples, harvesting 4.72 million tonnes of fruit in 2025, including 3.82 million tonnes of apples. Export earnings from agricultural and food products reached a record €58.4 billion, 75 % of which went to the EU market, while the United States and Egypt are key non‑EU destinations. Ministers highlighted that maintaining competitiveness will rely on automation, cost control and protection against increasingly frequent weather anomalies, with quality and "Polish product" labeling emphasized as major consumer criteria.

Alongside large‑scale production, a consumer trend of "self‑pick" farms is growing across the country. Shoppers bring their own containers to orchards and pick fruit directly from the bushes, paying only for weight. Prices are typically 20‑30 % lower than supermarket rates, with popular sites in the Świętokrzyskie and Podkarpackie regions offering berries such as American blueberries for as little as 15 zł per kilogram. This model provides families with cost savings, recreation and educational value, and helps growers address labour shortages.

Together, the booming export sector and the expanding self‑pick movement illustrate the dynamic state of Poland's fruit industry and its role in both domestic consumption and international trade.