June 27 2007, 08:41

Official estimations of fruit harvest in Poland in 2007

Polish experts of the Association of National Orchards Development under leadership of Professor Eberhard Makosz, the known expert-orchardist, have estimated the loses caused to orchards by May frosts; they have also forecasted the production of major fruits and berries in 2007.

According to their estimations, frosts injured the most severely sweet cherry and plum orchards; the production of these fruits will decline 2.6-3 times. Plum harvest may decline down to 30-40,000 tons, sweet cherry harvest may amount to 10-15,000 tons. Also, walnut orchards were severely damaged. To compare: according to evaluations of the experts of ""Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits", plum and sweet cherry harvest will grow 20-25% in Ukraine. The producers plan to harvest around 155 thousands of tons of plum, 61 thousands of tons of sweet cherry in Ukraine.

The blueberry and hazelnut cultivation areas have suffered the least because of frosts. Raspberry stood frosts quite well too, the production of this berry may decline only 15-25% comparing to 2006. Raspberry production may reach 40-45,000 tons in Poland in 2007 (27,000 tons in Ukraine, according to the forecast of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits").

The production of sour cherry and pear may decline 45% and 35% respectively in Poland in 2007. The producers plan to harvest 35-40,000 tons of pears (123,000 tons in Ukraine), and 100-115,000 tons of sour cherry (142,000 tons in Ukraine). We'd like also to point out that, according to evaluations of Polish experts, around 50% of apple harvest and more than 50% of strawberry, gooseberry, black and red currant harvest have been lost because of frosts. The total production of fruits and berries in Poland may decline 47-56% down to 1.4-1.7 mln. tons in Poland in 2007.

So, the considerable price growth for fruits, the decline of fruit and berry export, and the reduction of the processed volumes are expected in Poland in 2007. These factors will also contribute to the price growth for fruits and berries on Ukrainian and Russian markets.