What changed
2026-07-27 07:09 UTC → 2026-07-30 12:00 UTC ·
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Poland’s The Polish fruit sector remained under pressure into mid‑2026, with record wholesale rates for forest berries and a surge in fresh strawberry imports that reached 39 000 t by May. Climate extremes and the war in Ukraine kept fertilizer costs high and disrupted grain flows, while the pig sector logged losses over 400 zł per animal and seed‑potato production collapsed. In July 2026 fruit processors reported a further jump in black‑currant prices – juice‑grade up 32 % to 7.97 zł/kg and freezing‑grade to 9.23 zł/kg – adding to already tight margins. A shortage of wood pellets pushed wholesale prices to 2 500–3 000 zł/ton, prompting calls for emergency imports and speculation that State Forests may start pellet production. Regional straw prices diverged, with fresh straw reaching 95 zł per 120 cm bale in Podlasie. The July, the potato sector faces a projected 12 % cut in underwent major restructuring: cultivated area and lower yields (≈6 Mt vs 7 Mt in 2025), heightening price pressure for starch‑grade tubers. Poland has asked the EU for extraordinary aid for pork producers, citing a 7 % price gap to the EU average and competition from Brazil and Canada. EU cattle farm numbers continue to fall, keeping beef prices high fell, while imports rise. Analysts yields, specialization and processor contracts rose. Experts warn that the 2026/27 season may see reduced harvests due to lower plantings and adverse weather weather, which could push lift free‑market potato prices up, even as contract prices rates stay low. Analysts anticipate further price pressure and a possible cut‑back by less efficient farms later in the year. Pork market conditions worsened. EU pig slaughter rose 2 % but and domestic pork prices fell dropped 27 % in June, reflecting oversupply and weakening demand. Chinese pork imports are set projected to decline fall about 16 % in 2026, reducing cutting EU pork export volumes to China by roughly 20 % year‑on‑year. Wholesale berry and vegetable markets showed new dynamics as summer supply rose. Mechanical harvesting of blueberries for freezing fetched 7–9 zł /kg, below the fresh price of 10 zł /kg, threatening fresh‑fruit availability. Tunnel‑grown raspberries fetched up to 50 zł /kg, while field raspberries stayed at 35–40 zł /kg. Cucumbers fell sharply to 5–6 zł /kg for ground varieties, and green beans remained costly at 10–14 zł /kg due to limited supply. Trading activity slowed, with purchases now concentrated on three days a week and average basket values falling versus the previous year. Export interest in cherries could influence future pricing. Analysts warn that lower plantings and adverse weather could push free‑market potato prices up, even as contract prices stay low.