Sector

For many years, Russia served as the primary market for apples from the European Union. However, following the 2014 embargo on European fruit, the industry had to pivot and seek new markets. With access to Russian customers cut off, North African and Central Asian countries emerged as valuable partners. As a top apple producer, Poland, along with Italy and France, has considerable growth potential in this area, though it is heavily influenced by weather conditions beyond anyone’s control.  Spring frosts, droughts, heavy rains, and hail are significant factors that can impact both the quantity and quality of the harvest. In Poland, the variability of the temperate climate presents particular challenges, making it difficult to predict harvest sizes in a given season. Nevertheless, over the past eight years, even in the challenging year of 2017, production reached 2.4 million tonnes, while in the peak year of 2022, it soared to 4.495 million tonnes. Poland, often referred to as the “largest orchard in Europe,” accounts for roughly one-third of the total area dedicated to orchards in Europe.

Looking ahead, some of the most promising apple markets include India and Vietnam. According to DG Agri data, both countries rank among the top five global apple importers, with India being the second-largest importer worldwide. When it comes to exports from Poland to India, apples comprise a significant portion of agricultural food exports. Meanwhile, Vietnam is witnessing remarkable growth, boasting the highest annual increase in apple imports, at nearly 91%.