This summer, extreme weather conditions in Poland and other regions created a challenging environment for the red fruit and vegetable harvests. Despite the extreme heat, there are promising developments, also thanks to the dedicated efforts of partner farmers and agronomists. Keep reading as we delve into the current status and what lies ahead for this harvest season.
Harvest under heat: Weather challenges
Poland has been experiencing an unusually hot summer, with daytime temperatures soaring between 33-38°C – occasionally reaching 40°C – and remaining above 20°C at night. These circumstances have triggered dangerous meteorological conditions, resulting in ‘red alerts’ for heat and constant warnings for third-category storms – characterised by heavy rain, hail, and strong winds. The impact has been immediate: many crops were damaged and some areas experienced flooding. Fortunately, the weather has now returned to more typical summer patterns.
Overcoming challenges to our red fruit crops
We concluded the harvest of our black currant in mid-July. Unfortunately, this crop experienced a shortfall of around 50% due to freezing nights and cold days during and shortly after the blooming period. On a more positive note, the yield of our late varieties of red currants has met our expectations. Meanwhile, the sour cherry harvest has started 10 days earlier than usual and will end this week. Elevated temperatures have negatively affected the fruit quality, causing enzymatic changes on the fruit skin and making it more susceptible to leaking – conditions that present challenges in the production of high-quality IQF fruits.
Our summer raspberry crop has ended, with smaller yields and higher prices than expected. The crop experienced some frost damage, resulting in a reduced amount of fruit on the plants. Fruits were of fairly uniform size and ripened quickly. The summer crop is estimated to be around 60% of the total raspberry yield, with a potential reduction of up to 30% compared to previous years. While the market has now stabilised, pricing will continue to be influenced by the harvest outcomes from Poland and Central Europe. Looking ahead, the autumn Polish crop is starting to show ripe fruits and is expected to be ready in 7 days. Thus far, raspberry plants look in good condition and promise well, a testament to the meticulous efforts of our partner farmers who have taken excellent care of the fields. Finally, our aronia crops appear healthy, with colour changes indicating they will be ready for harvest in approximately two weeks.
In Serbia, lower yields and higher prices of raspberries are also anticipated, but the IQF quality is expected to be high. In addition, we expect a significant reduction in Serbian blackberry yields. The latest high temperatures – reaching up to 43°C – can hinder fruit ripening and cause them to dry on the bushes.
Vegetable crops: Current status and expectations
The recent hot weather in Poland has been tough on vegetable crops, causing some plants to experience slower growth than usual. Although the overall impact on yield and quality remains uncertain, the good news is that our red beets look on track for harvest in early August, with a normal volume anticipated. Meanwhile, in our carrot fields, plant density tracks well against the contracted volume.
Other plant varieties struggled to grow due to extreme conditions, expending all their energy merely to survive. The cabbage ‘family’, in particular, is facing significant challenges from heat and wind, while the Chinese cabbage planting is underway and is set to finish this week.
On a brighter note, pumpkin crops are thriving. The bell pepper crop is also performing well – we expect harvest to take place earlier than last year.
Our takeaways…
In our industry, unpredictable factors like weather can pose challenges, but we are doing everything in our power to face them and minimise disruptions for our customers to the greatest extent possible. Our team of experts is always on top of the field conditions, providing us with timely updates and insights. Despite some hurdles, our Polish fields have shown impressive resilience, also thanks to the support of our agronomy team. While quality, volume, and yields can vary from crop to crop, we work closely with our partner farmers to achieve the best possible results. We’re also excited about what’s to come, with promising prospects for our autumn raspberry and vegetable harvests.
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