According to data from Poland's Central Statistical Office corresponding to September, the total vegetable production (early and late) is estimated at 3.9 million tonnes, i.e. 16 percent below that of 2014.
The biggest fall in the harvest was recorded in the case of brassica vegetables, whose production declined by more than 20 percent.
The initial stages of the campaign proceeded without major disruptions for fruit growers; however, due to the prolonged drought, which took place during the summer months in most parts of the country, these conditions have substantially deteriorated. This was reflected primarily in the lower harvest of berries, which is likely to be more than 10 percent lower than in 2014.
In the case of fruit from trees, conditions were slightly better; however, the drought conditions have caused reductions in the size of the fruits. According to the report, the harvest volume from fruit trees in 2015 will be approximately 6 percent lower than in 2014.
From January to August this year, the value of Polish fruit exports has decreased by 6.9 percent, compared with a decline of 11.1 percent in the same period of the previous year. The reduction in volume was also recorded in the export of vegetables, whose value decreased by 2.9 percent, compared with an increase of 5.4 percent in the same period of the previous year. In both cases, the decline in exports was due to the lower growth rate in non-EU countries, reflecting the negative impact of the Russian embargo on Polish trade.
