February 14 2007, 14:07

Polish farmers are not satisfied with the price for cabbage

White cabbage has been the most popular vegetable to grow in Poland for many years. Today cabbage is still an important product, but tomatoes have occupied the first place as for vegetable consumption, Freshplaza informs. Cabbage production in Poland is the greatest in the European Union; the country is the third largest cabbage producer in Europe (yielding to Russia and Ukraine). Cabbage is sold both fresh and processed as sauerkraut, a very popular processed product (large shipments of sauerkraut are exported to Czech Republic and Slovakia). Red cabbage and Savoy cabbage are actually less popular. Cabbage is still an important crop for many farmers because of the above-mentioned reasons.

This season has badly disappointed Polish cabbage growers. The prices for this vegetable are the lowest this marketing season comparing to the previous years. According to the source information, it is possible that the prices will decline even more dramatically in the coming months.

The cabbage acreage significantly varies each season. The main reason for the cultivation areas to vary is the price situation, because high prices this season stimulate the extension of the cultivation areas next season. As of February the 2nd, the minimal price for cabbage was EUR0.05/kg on Warsaw wholesale market; the maximal price was EUR0.12/kg (EUR0.10-0.16/kg for red cabbage, EUR0.21-0.31/kg for Savoy cabbage and EUR0.31- 0.38/kg for sauerkraut).