Despite Regaining the Belarussian Market, Polish Apple Traders Are Diversifying Exports

Published 2023년 3월 30일

According to official data from the Polish Ministry of Agriculture, apple exports from Poland increased in value and volume in January 2023, reaching 68,839 MT. Last year, shortly after a ban on Polish apples was imposed by Belarus, it quickly reversed the decision, and Poland exported approximately 25,000 MT from April to June 2022. As the industry enters the final stretch of the 2022/23 apple sale season, Tridge predicts that export volume will continue to grow due to Belarus's opening, while the export value will slow down in Q2 of 2023.

Apple exports from Poland have increased in value and volume in January 2023, up to EUR 32.73M and 68,839 MT, according to official data from the Polish Ministry of agriculture. Compared to the same period last year, the increase in the exported volume of apples is just 3% YoY. Still more significant is the rise in export value, of 23% YoY, over the same period. Middle Eastern countries, for example the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia emerged as new markets with a combined volume of 3,246 MT delivered. Also, based on Tridge insights, Colombia Has Emerged as a New Preferred Market Destination for Polish Apple Exporters. In a recent update, Belarus will resume imports of Polish apples starting from April 27th, relieving traders of a constant struggle for buyers.

The Value of Polish Apple Exports in the Last Five Years

Source: Tridge and TradeMap

Despite the reopening of the Belarus markets, traders are faced with specific logistical difficulties. Currently, there is only one freight border crossing between Poland and Belarus, while Polish carriers are banned from entering through Lithuania and Latvia. A previous Tridge analysis described how the situation where Belarus imposed a ban on importing Polish apples affected traders. On January 1st, 2022, Belarus enacted a ban on Polish apples. Shortly after an embargo on Polish apples was applied, Belarus temporarily lifted the ban, and from April until June 2022, Poland exported around 25,000 MT. In the most recent update, Belarus officials are lifting the ban from April 1st until July 30th, 2023. Political disputes that are ongoing limit trade. According to recent WAPA reports, Polish apple stocks are among the highest in Europe at 1.06M MT (data until February 1st), although 7.5% lower than last year.

India was one of the alternative options for Polish apples. In January 2023, Poland exported 5,879 MT of apples to India, switching to different payment methods in December 2022. India also took 4th place for the apple export prices of PLN 2.76/kg in the same month. Above mentioned Arab countries paid the highest price, with an average export price of PLN 3.82/kg, according to the Polish Ministry of Agriculture.

Asian countries are a new option for sales of Polish apples. Then again, logistics take its toll, with limited transportation options (at the moment, only from Italian ports). Long transit times, in some cases even 60 days due to COVID-19 and other restrictions, and high transport costs affect the profit margin of traders. Improved results achieved on the export value of fresh apples are somewhat diminished by increased production and energy costs needed for storage. Entering the final stretch in the 2022/23 apple sale season, Tridge predictions are that export volume will continue to grow due to the opening of Belarus, while the value of export is expected to slow down in Q2 of 2023.