The prices of frozen strawberries were higher than in the previous year. According to Foodnews, frozen strawberries from Poland (Class II, IQF uncalibrated) in mid-October, reached an average of 1.50 Euro/kg and were approximately 40% more expensive than in the same period last year. What's more, the price of frozen Polish strawberries achieved a record increase. In the first two weeks of October, it grew by 3.2 percent, reports Mariusz Dziwulski, expert agricultural market analyst at BGZ BNP Paribas.
The higher prices of frozen strawberries in Poland, compared to last year, have primarily been the result of the lower supply in the country. Poland is a major supplier of frozen strawberries to the European Union and the second largest exporter worldwide, only behind Mexico.
"It is worth noting that, since 2012, Poland has strongly increased its supply of frozen strawberries to the EU market; a trend that has been linked to the restrictions in the supply of Chinese strawberries to the EU. In the 2015/2016 campaign, exports of frozen strawberries from Poland to the EU-27, reached a volume of 110 thousand tonnes, which was a record figure. In the 2016/2017 season, due to the lower production, exports may be lower, although the demand for frozen strawberries from our country can be maintained at a high level, thus ensuring price increases," added Mariusz Dziwulski.
The lower production of frozen strawberries in 2016 has been the result of the lower harvest volume of these fruits. According to the Central Statistical Office of Poland (GUS), this year production amounted to 196 thousand tonnes, a 5 percent drop compared to 2015. The average price of strawberries for freezing in June, stood at 3.49 złoty/kilo (0.81 Euro/kilo), and were 28 percent higher than last year.
