Poland: "Polish potato producers have significantly reduced their cultivated area"

After a year marked by record-low prices, the upcoming Polish potato season should be better for both growers and exporters, according to Łukasz Ostrowicz, a member of the board of directors of the Polish potato packing company Bugaj. "It’s shaping up to be a transitional season for Polish potatoes. Therefore, there are mixed opinions: on the one hand, there’s relief at the prospect of a recurrence of the structural oversupply; on the other, there’s caution, because the true course of the season will be decided in the coming weeks." Seedsof potato

Last year was particularly difficult because not only did Poland have an exceptional harvest, but lower volumes are expected this coming season, Ostrowicz emphasizes. "Last year’s harvest in Poland was abundant, around 6.8 million tons, 15% more than the previous year and the largest since 2021. The problem was that this abundance coincided with record harvests across the EU: 55.7 million tons, the highest since 2017, and the market simply couldn’t absorb them. This year, with less acreage, we expect significantly lower production. But I want to make it clear that there are still no harvest figures, only estimates based on the acreage. The final result will be determined by the yield, and that is still to be determined."

"The biggest challenge this year is the volatile weather. Between June and July, we experienced a severe heat wave, with temperatures reaching 35-40°C locally, right during the critical tuber fattening phase," Ostrowicz continues. "And now, literally a couple of weeks later, we have the opposite: abundant rainfall and cool nights, with temperatures dropping to around 10°C. These fluctuations significantly affect the plants themselves, and we expect them to translate into an increase in quality problems."

Current weather conditions are not only affecting potatoes, Ostrowicz points out: "From our position as a supplier to major retail chains in Poland, weather volatility also presents a logistical challenge. During the early potato season, we have to monitor forecasts very closely and secure the necessary volumes well in advance, both before heat waves and heavy rains. This allows us to guarantee our customers a continuous supply and consistent quality, regardless of what happens in the fields. This requires flexibility in purchasing and storage planning." Seedsof potato

According to Ostrowicz, last season was a disappointment for producers. "The oversupply drove farmgate prices so low that many farms didn’t even cover their production costs, which is precisely why the planted area has fallen so sharply this year. Let’s be clear: no one should expect prices this season to reach last year’s lows. With less supply, the market will be tighter, and after a year of losses, producers won’t sell below cost. Added to that is the pressure on costs: fuel, packaging, and pesticides. Even with a good harvest, the cost of producing a kilo of potatoes is higher today than it was a year ago."

"I expect a significantly tighter market than last season. The smaller acreage in Poland and Western Europe should guarantee this. But the final answer will depend on the weather in August and September, and on the harvest itself, which is intended for long-term storage. The quality of the product that will be on sale from November to June will only truly be known after the harvest, practically speaking, in October and November," Ostrowicz concludes.

For more information: Łukasz Ostrowicz BUGAJ sp. z 

o.o.lukasz.ostrowicz@fhbugaj.pl