"Available data on trade for the first four months of the current 2015/16 season (August-December 2015) point to a clear decrease in the export of Polish apple concentrate compared to the same period in 2014, states Anna Kitala, Agricultural Market Analysis Expert at BGZ BNP Paribas.
Information published by Foodnews shows that, within the period at hand, the export of Polish juice concentrate amounted to 89.7 thousand tonnes and was about 25 percent lower than last year (-30.3 thousand tonnes).
Kitala recalled that in December last year a total of 17.7 thousand tonnes of concentrate were shipped, which is about 38 percent (about 11 thousand tonnes) less than in December 2014. This was due, among other reasons, to a significant reduction in sales to North America. The United States imported only 9 tonnes of apple juice from Poland, compared to 5.4 thousand tonnes a year earlier, and trade with Canada, which had received 500 tonnes of concentrate in December 2014, came to a complete halt.
"Shipments of Polish concentrate to other EU countries also dropped significantly. Germany purchased 10.3 thousand tonnes, about 25 percent less; the UK imported 2.0 thousand tonnes (an 11 percent drop), the Netherlands, 1.3 thousand tonnes (-13 percent), and Austria 0.6 thousand tonnes (-67 percent)," stated the expert.
The analyst also noted that Russia has clearly increased its demand for concentrate from Poland. In December last year, Poland's eastern neighbour imported 1.3 thousand tonnes of apple juice concentrate from Poland, compared to nearly 1.0 thousand tonnes a year earlier and 1 tonne in December 2013.
Foodnews Experts point out that if sales remain at the current pace, total exports in the current season may amount to approximately 235 thousand tonnes. Taking into account the high initial stock, as well as the high production, similar to the previous season, this may lead to large stocks being left at the end of the current season.
