Low prices for peaches in Poland is causing many growers to switch to other types of fruit production. According to a recent GAIN report from the USDA, orchard areas reduced by 7.4% in the 2015-16 season, from 2,700 ha in 2014 to 2,500 ha. Peach production is also down, by 3%, compared to last year.
Many Polish growers are switching to the production of other fruits after consecutive years of low peach prices.
Favourable weather conditions made for a good season and only a slight decline in production on the back of shrinking growing area. The winter of 2015/16 was very mild and minimal damages were reported as a result of the frost in January 2016, which was primarily only local damage in very young plantings.
The main problem for Polish peach growers is the need for irrigation, but not enough funds to invest in the necessary irrigation systems.
Polish peach exports in 2015 were estimated around 20,000 MT, with most local peaches being sent to Belarus and the Ukraine.
Poland is a net importer of peaches. In 2015 (January-December) Poland imported over 110,000 MT, 90 percent sourced from other EU member states, mostly from Spain and Italy.
