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2026-08-03 13:38 UTC → 2026-08-05 10:16 UTC ·
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In late July 2026 Polish growers reported sharp wholesale price swings—blueberries halved, tunnel‑grown raspberries nearly doubled, and cherries collapsed—prompting the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) to open a probe into possible anti‑competitive practices. By early August 2026 the Central Statistical Office (GUS) projected a steep decline in the 2026 fruit harvest: apple output was expected confirmed that Poland’s total tree‑fruit harvest will contract by 18.6 % to fall about 3.4 million t, with apples down 19.5 % year‑on‑year (around to roughly 3.1 million tonnes, a drop of up to 20 %), while t. Pears, cherries, plums and pears were set other stone fruits are each expected to drop 16.6 fall 10‑15 %, 4.1 % while berry output on orchards and 14.4 % respectively. Berries faced the biggest cuts, with raspberry production forecast to shrink 23 plantations will be 6.5 % and lower at 458 000 t. Detailed losses include strawberries 6.2 %; overall fruit‑tree yields were projected down 18.6 (-6.2 % to 141 200 t) and shrub‑fruit yields 6.5 raspberries (-23 % to about 60 900 t); currant production is the only fruit category showing a modest rise of 4.4 %. The reductions were attributed GUS attributes the declines to a sequence of adverse weather events – spring frosts, a summer heatwaves rainfall deficit and drought conditions. Reduced supply has already pushed some prices lower—frozen cherries fell to roughly 4 zł kg⁻¹—while GUS warned June heat waves – that tighter markets could lift prices for apples, berries stressed crops and other produce. A modest 4.4 % rise reduced yields. The same climatic stress was observed in total currant production sugar‑beet trials by Südzucker Polska, where average root mass in July was noted. 456 g, 71 g lighter than a year earlier. Agricultural investment also slowed: new tractor registrations in July fell 9.8 % from June and 25.9 % year‑on‑year, with only 766 units recorded. The competition probe launched in late July remains active as growers continue to allege collusion among buyers and processors, underscoring heightened instability in Poland’s fruit sector. processors.