Late season, high prices: Polish plum market shows mixed picture

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 07. 25. 10:38

This year, the plum season in Poland started later than usual, but supply has been expanding rapidly, and domestic produce has already appeared on wholesale markets. In retail stores, however, imported, often low-quality plums still dominate, while prices remain high – according to reports by FruitVeb and Lebensmittel Praxis Online, cited by Agrárszektor.

Polish varieties return, but shelves still stocked with imports

After last year’s unusually early start, the 2025 plum season has returned to its regular timing. The Polish Herman variety is already available on wholesale markets, but retail shelves are still filled with imported plums – primarily the Moldovan Cacańska Lepotica. These imports come with several issues: they are small in size and less attractive, yet prices can reach as high as 13 PLN/kg (approx. 1220 HUF/kg) in Warsaw hypermarkets.

In contrast, Polish Herman plums are much cheaper on wholesale markets, priced between 3.00–4.00 PLN/kg (280–375 HUF/kg), though consumer interest remains low. Shoppers appear reluctant to switch to domestic produce or are unable to find it in retail chains.

Katinka, Lepotica and Rana: Hungarian plums also appear

Cacańska Rana and the first better-quality shipments of Cacańska Lepotica are now also available in retail stores, with prices reaching up to 8 PLN/kg (750 HUF/kg) in shops. On wholesale markets, these sell for 5–6 PLN/kg (470–560 HUF/kg), especially if their size and appearance meet expectations. Current price levels exceed the 3.00–3.50 PLN/kg (280–330 HUF/kg) average recorded in July last year, and the increase is even more pronounced compared to two years ago.

The first Hungarian plums have also arrived in Poland: the Katinka variety is now available in wholesale quantities, with prices ranging from depending on quality 3.00–6.00 PLN/kg (280–560 HUF/kg).