Last year’s apples are sold out – prices could skyrocket in the new season

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 06. 17. 11:23

In Poland, cold storage facilities are practically empty: strong domestic and foreign demand has almost completely absorbed the apple stocks of the 2024/2025 season, writes FruitVeB. However, early varieties have not yet appeared on the market, so for the first time, the sales of last year’s and this year’s crops may be completely separated.

While in the northern hemisphere the end of the apple season usually drags on for months – with a slow outflow of stocks – the situation in Poland is different this year. In May and June, demand for Polish apples was even stronger than usual: in addition to foreign orders, domestic consumption also surged, which was also exacerbated by the scarce supply and high prices of other seasonal fruits.

The result: stocks fell to record lows, while prices rose spectacularly. In June, for example, the wholesale price of Golden Delicious over 70 mm suddenly increased by 25%. All major varieties are currently changing hands at prices between PLN 3.8 and 4.5/kg (i.e. HUF 360 and HUF 425/kg) – this is even higher than the closing prices of the previous record-breaking 2019/2020 season.

The weather is not helping either: the conditions of the past few weeks have not been conducive to the ripening of early apple varieties, so it seems increasingly certain that the new fruits will not reach the market on time. According to market analysts, this will delay the transition between old and new stocks, which could cause significant market tensions.

If, in addition, the harvest volume decreases again this year due to spring frost damage, apple prices for the new season could easily rise to record highs – especially if the supply shortage is combined with stable export demand.