The current Polish apple season is progressing in a way that reminds one of last year, says Karol Osior, export manager of Polish apple exporter Fruit Active: "February and March were similar to the previous year. We noted increased interest from the Balkan markets, Romania and southern Europe, but this did not differ from the norms of previous seasons. As far as apple stocks are concerned, in our opinion, they are smaller than they were last year. In some regions of Poland, shortages of particular apple varieties are beginning to be felt, especially when it comes to good quality Gala apples."
There's one apple variety that's generating the least interest of all, but Osior states that three varieties are performing great. "In terms of the most popular varieties, at this stage of the season we would mention that Jonaprince, Golden and Red Delicious are doing really well. Idared apples are slightly less popular compared to previous years. Perhaps this is due to the preferences of customers, who are increasingly choosing more attractive varieties, including those from the Jonagold family. Among the remaining varieties that we had the opportunity to sort this season, there are Champion and Gloster. We have definitely noticed the least interest in the Jonagored variety."
Osior is verry happy with the fact that Fruit Active has been able to send larger apple shipments to the French market for the first time and hopes this will become a trend: "The best markets for us are invariably the south and southeast of Europe. We have also successfully completed shipments to the west of Europe, including to Spain. What we are very happy about is the first larger shipments to the French market. So far, we have delivered our apples there sporadically, so hopefully this will be the first of many larger shipments."
There's still a while to go for the remainder of the season and Osior wants to make sure they keep delivering the increasing standards that clients have come to expect. "For our goals for the rest of the season, it will definitely be maintaining the good quality of the products and focusing on the current group of customers. Quality requirements are becoming more and more stringent. Customers expect apples carefully sorted both in terms of size and the minimum level of color for a specific variety. Also in terms of packaging, there are new ideas for implementation, starting with bags with a mix of green and red apples and cardboard trays containing four or six pieces of selected apples packed in flow packs," Osior concludes.
For more information:
Karol Osior
Fruit Active Sp. z o.o.
Mob/WhatsApp: +48 783 431 678
Email: [email protected]
www.fruitactive.pl