Poland, a top-10 global exporter of fresh blueberries, has emerged as one of the most rapidly expanding markets for the fruit, sourcing increasingly from abroad, EastFruit reports. Notably, as of the close of 2023, Poland has ascended to the ranks of the top 8 largest importers of fresh blueberries worldwide.
While export volumes continue to surpass import figures by 15-20%, the margin is gradually closing. The year 2023 saw Poland facing a conundrum: despite a favorable market backdrop, a failed blueberry harvest in Peru coupled with unusually steep prices within the European Union from August to October impeded Poland’s ability to capitalize on these conditions, leading to a reduction in export quantities. Consequently, there’s a looming possibility that Poland might shift from being a net exporter to a net importer of blueberries in the foreseeable future, although it is expected to maintain its status as a key European exporter during the peak summer to autumn months.
Spain, the Netherlands, Peru, Chile, Morocco, and Ukraine stand as the primary suppliers of fresh blueberries to Poland. The contributions from the first five nations mainly occur off-season relative to Poland’s local production, whereas Ukrainian imports align with Poland’s peak harvesting period. It is probable that Ukrainian blueberries are subsequently re-exported to other EU nations via Polish traders.
Germany reigns as the principal consumer of Polish blueberries, significantly outpacing the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, which hold the second and third spots respectively in the buyer country rankings. Belarus claims the fourth position in terms of delivery volumes and is also noted for its active exportation of homegrown blueberries to Russia. It is widely acknowledged among market insiders that Poland, through Belarusian intermediation, channels its blueberries into the market of what is termed the aggressor country. In the span of 2022-2023, upwards of 2.7 thousand tons of fresh blueberries, constituting over 5% of Poland’s total blueberry exports, were dispatched to the Belarusian market, effectively reaching Russia.
