Poland’s strawberry harvest threatened by rain and rising imports

Poland’s strawberry season is at its peak, but growers warn that a shift in weather could sharply reduce yields and affect fruit quality. Plantations are facing the risk of heavy rain and low temperatures, which can foster fungal diseases and limit the amount of harvestable berries. Tomasz Wiatrak, a grower from Wełtynia, said, “We can plan to harvest 20 tonnes, then the rains bring us 5 tonnes,” highlighting how quickly weather can undermine carefully laid plans.

At the same time, imports of strawberries from Greece and Serbia have risen sharply, putting additional pressure on domestic prices. Data cited by industry experts show a 43 % increase in Greek strawberry imports compared with the previous year, with total import volume reaching about 25 000 tonnes. The combination of adverse weather and stronger foreign supply has already driven up retail prices for Polish strawberries, which now range from 7 to 13 zł per kilogram.

The season is expected to continue through June if moderate conditions persist, but the growers stress that prolonged rain or extreme heat could further jeopardise the crop and market stability.