Drought has had a crucial impact on the volume of this year's fruit and vegetable harvest in Poland. The Central Statistical Office (CSO) has revised its estimates for most categories.
The top fruit production, according to the latest estimate, will stand at 3.4 million tonnes, which is 6% less than last year and about 8% below what was initially estimated in July. Despite this, production will still be historically high, 35% above the average for the period between 2006 and 2010.
As regards apples, the production may reach 3 million tonnes, 6% less than last year. It is worth noting that in July it was estimated that the production could once again break records and reach 3.25 million tonnes. The decrease in the harvest prospects is due to the lower yield, resulting from the smaller calibres. The CSO points out, however, that if the weather conditions before the harvest are favourable, the apple harvest may yet be greater than currently expected.
This also applies to the harvest volume of pears and plums, which the CSO has been estimated at around 70 and 92 thousand tonnes, respectively, which is about 5 and 13% less than last year.
When it comes to vegetables, Poland's harvest this year may be about 16% lower and amount to less than 3.9 million tonnes. This is also about 10% less than estimated back in July. The largest decline is predicted for brassica crops, with a drop of over 20%. This year's production of cabbage is estimated to reach less than 0.9 million tonnes, compared to 1.16 million tonnes a year earlier. The CSO also highlights the 13% drop of onions and the 15% decline of carrots, with 560 and 700 thousand tonnes, respectively.
Lack of rainfall and high temperatures in July and August have also caused significant losses to potato growers. The CSO estimates that, compared to the previous year, production may decrease by 19%, down to 6.2 million tonnes.
