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Tomato production in rise
Poland
Monday 12 March 2007
The Kalisz region, situated in Wielkopolska - the western part of Poland sees the most dynamic development in agriculture. The Kalisz agriculture is characterised by a high level of production. Although the potential capacity (the quality of soil, fertilising, the size of farms) is only medium, intensive development of horticultural cultivation in greenhouses is a speciality of Kalisz and it places the area on a high position, not only in Poland but also in Europe.
According to estimates the total acreage of glasshouses in the region was 330 hectares last year. The smallest companies are only 0,3-0,4 hectare but the new and modern ones - 8-12 hectares. Every year, the glasshouse acreage increases by tens of hectares, in 2007 - it will be 25-30 hectares probably. Most of the new glasshouses have walls of 4-4,5 m high and they are fully computerised.
The most important crop is tomato, grown mainly on mineral wool. Beef tomatoes are preferred on the Polish market with the most popular varieties being Macarena and Growdena from Syngenta Seeds, Bogota from Rijk Zwaan, Grace, Geronimo and Matrix from De Ruiter Seeds and Ivone from Seminis. Other varieties are grown for export (smaller fruits, weight around 90-120 g): Encore, Tricia, Espero, Cedrico, Mecano and Axxion. The last few years, more an more growers are also interested in grafted tomato plants. Such plants are more vigorous and less susceptible to diseases.
According to estimates the total acreage of glasshouses in the region was 330 hectares last year. The smallest companies are only 0,3-0,4 hectare but the new and modern ones - 8-12 hectares. Every year, the glasshouse acreage increases by tens of hectares, in 2007 - it will be 25-30 hectares probably. Most of the new glasshouses have walls of 4-4,5 m high and they are fully computerised.
The most important crop is tomato, grown mainly on mineral wool. Beef tomatoes are preferred on the Polish market with the most popular varieties being Macarena and Growdena from Syngenta Seeds, Bogota from Rijk Zwaan, Grace, Geronimo and Matrix from De Ruiter Seeds and Ivone from Seminis. Other varieties are grown for export (smaller fruits, weight around 90-120 g): Encore, Tricia, Espero, Cedrico, Mecano and Axxion. The last few years, more an more growers are also interested in grafted tomato plants. Such plants are more vigorous and less susceptible to diseases.
