It is understood that the price of frozen strawberries in Poland this year is significantly higher than last year. According to Foodnews, the average price of Polish frozen strawberries (level 2, not IQF-verified) in mid-October was €1.50/kg, up 40% compared to the same period last year and hitting an all-time high.
Prices for frozen strawberries rose 3.2 percent in the first two weeks of October, according to Mariusz Dziwulski, an agricultural market analyst at BGZ BNP Paribas.
The price of frozen strawberries in Poland is higher than last year mainly because the supply in the country has decreased. Poland is the main supplier of frozen strawberries to the EU and the second largest exporter of frozen strawberries in the world, after Mexico.
"It is worth noting that since 2012, Poland has significantly increased the supply of frozen strawberries to the EU market, which is related to the EU's restrictions on Chinese strawberries. In 2015/16, Poland exported 110,000 tons of frozen strawberries to the EU-27, a record high. Exports may be lower in 2016/17 due to lower production, but demand for frozen strawberries will remain high, so prices will definitely rise. ” added Mariusz Dziwulski.
The decline in frozen strawberry production in 2016 was mainly due to a decline in fresh strawberry production. According to a statistical report from the Polish Central Statistical Office (GUS), this year's fresh strawberry production was 196,000 tons, down 5% from 2015. The average price of frozen strawberries in June was PLN 3.49/kg (EUR 0.81/kg), which is 28% higher than last year.