Possible shortage of Polish blackcurrants this season

It appears that adverse weather has severely damaged this years Polish blackcurrant crop.

 

 

Frost affected the fruit development in May and the rain and cool temperatures which have impacted on the strawberry harvest have also compounded the damage.

 

 

The Polish Ministry of Agriculture has stated that the crop could be as low as 90,000 tons rather than the 130,000 ; the harvest should yield about 100,000 tons.

 

 

The knock on effect will be that prices will inevitably increase as the juice companies scramble for volumes to cover their juice concentrate/puree requirements which will leave lower volumes of fruit for IQF.

 

 

The harvest is still a few weeks away but interest will increase and forward contracts are likely to be completed before this in some instances to ensure a secure supply.