The harvest for Polish apples has kicked off on a large scale, and it's looking positive, says Jakub Krawczyk, export manager for Polish apple exporter Appolonia: "Harvesting of Gala started on a large scale in week 37, and this season the firmness and color of this variety are very good. We did not experience any heatwaves during the summer, unlike some other EU countries, which means there is a chance our apples will maintain good storage parameters for longer than those of our competitors."
© Appolonia Sp. z.o.o.
The weather did cause some damage, but it varies per region, Krawczyk explains. "There was some frost damage, and russeting is more visible this year than usual, but not everywhere. Some orchards are heavily affected, while in others it's hardly noticeable. I have read opinions suggesting that Polish apples are not suitable for export this year, but I disagree. By carefully selecting fruit and packing it according to EU Class I standards, we're still able to export Gala to Asia, the Middle East, and South America."
Overall, Krawczyk is quite happy with the current crop and hopes to find a proper buyer for those apples affected by the russeting as well: "Since we buy large volumes of Gala from many regions, we have a broad overview of the situation, and I can truly recommend our apples this year. Of course, it will also be easier for us to pack russetted apples separately and offer them at lower prices, as we want to support our growers and avoid unnecessary waste. Russeting is only a skin defect; it doesn't affect the taste, nutritional value, or vitamins of the fruit. We're open to cooperating with companies that are interested in purchasing such apples."
© Appolonia Sp. z.o.o.
The frosts weren't the only challenges in terms of weather, Krawczyk states. "There were spring frosts, but our biggest concern now is hail. Last weekend brought heavy storms, and many farms in central Poland were affected. Harvesting will continue for a few more weeks, so we will see what the weather brings. Overall, the summer was rather cool, and there is still drought due to a lack of rainfall. Forecasts for September suggest it will be warm but not too hot."
"We will continue serving the same markets as in previous seasons: India, Colombia, the EU, the UK, and possibly some Middle Eastern countries. Polish companies are still exporting large volumes to Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Egypt, Vietnam, Jordan, Bangladesh, and Belarus. I also hear more frequently about exports to Oman and Libya. So far, we do not have customers there, but we believe it could be a good idea to start building relationships with reliable importers in those markets. We were also hoping that the Ecuadorian market would open for our apples this season, but so far, we have not heard of any progress. Fingers crossed that it will happen soon," Krawczyk concludes.
© Appolonia Sp. z.o.o.
Appolonia will be exhibiting during Fruit Attraction in Madrid, from 30 September to 2 October. You can find their stand in Hall 8, booth 8C16.
For more information:
Jakub Krawczyk
Appolonia
Tel: +48 785 342 930
WhatsApp: +48 533 988 025
[email protected]
www.appolonia.pl