Magdalena Kowalewska, agricultural market analyst at BGZ BNP Paribas, reported that Poland is still the world's second largest exporter of concentrated apple juice, only behind China. It is estimated that about 87% of Poland's apple concentrate production is exported.
According to data from Eurostat, in the first eight months of 2016 Poland exported 11% less concentrated apple juice than in the same period last year, reaching a volume of 175 thousand tonnes. The main reason for this decline was a significant reduction in exports to the United States.
"In the period at hand, the United States imported only about 3 thousand tonnes of concentrate, or as much as 87% less than in the corresponding period of the previous year. It should be noted, however, that exports to the US in 2015 reached a record high, up to 3 times higher than a year earlier. Moreover, in the 2015/16 season there has been strong competition from Chinese producers," stated Magdalena Kowalewska.
The main recipient of Polish apple juice concentrate in the EU is Germany, which in the first eight months of this year imported 85 thousand tonnes; 4% less than in the same period a year earlier. There was also a 21% decline in the exports to the UK, which totalled 16 thousand tonnes. These losses were only partially offset by an increase in exports to the Netherlands, Austria, and France.
"Given the smaller than expected harvest of apples in China and large parts of the EU, as well as the lower volumes of apples for processing in the United States, Poland is expected to be an attractive partner in the trade of apple juice concentrate," assured the expert of BGZ BNP Paribas.
