This year's period for Polish fruit is full of extremes. On the 1 hand, in markets and in shops, cherry prices can scope astronomical 20 PLN per kilo, discouraging many gourmets. On the another hand, there is an increasingly popular trend, which allows to buy the same fruit for only PLN 6. However, there is simply a catch that will be an insurmountable obstacle for some, and for others the beginning of the summertime adventure. Farmers all over Poland put customers in an different condition, which completely changes the rules of the game.
High prices are the consequence of highly hard conditions that farmers gotta face. The cold and moist spring decimated the crops, and an additional blow was the illness attacking the orchards. In consequence to the crisis, the phenomenon of "self-harvests" was born. Poles, alternatively of overpaying on stalls, are increasingly eager to go consecutive to orchards to collect fruit themselves. This is simply a solution that benefits both parties – farmers save on harvest costs and customers enjoy fresh cherries at a price that can only be dreamed of in the city.
Why are cherries so expensive? Double blow to the orchards
High cherry prices in shops are not the consequence of price collusion, but real problems that affected Polish orchards. The main origin is the weather. Exceptional cool and rainy spring brought with it large temperature fluctuations, which caused a alleged thermal shock in fruit trees. specified conditions not only weakened plants, but besides created an perfect environment for the improvement of dangerous diseases.
The second equally serious blow is the epidemic bacterial cancer. It's a tricky illness that attacks first and foremost the trees of the rose family, which is not only cherries, but besides cherries, plums, pears or apple trees. According to experts, the infection leads to shoots, branches, and in utmost cases full trees. This straight translates into a drastic decrease in the amount of fruit harvested.
Piotr Pasik, president of the National Association of Cherry Producers, emphasizes the scale of the problem: "This year, with very humid springs and large falls, temperature differences, trees experienced thermal shock. specified conditions were conducive to strong bacterial cancer infections. Even with very tight protection, not all farms have handled this disease‘. A smaller supply with constant request must have led to a sharp increase in retail prices.
Bacterial cancer in orchards. Are the fruits safe for health?
Information about the deciprocating illness of the orchard may rise concerns among consumers. However, it is worth noting that bacterial cancer does not pose a direct hazard to human health. The pathogen attacks plant tissues, leading to their extinction, but does not pass on to people by eating fruit. Fruits from affected trees that are sold are completely safe to eat.
The main problem with bacterial cancer is its impact on the economy. The illness is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in the orchard, destroying much of the possible harvest. For orchards, this means immense financial losses and the request to invest in costly plant protection products that are not always able to halt the infection. That is why the supply of fruit on the marketplace is so limited this year, which inducts prices to levels exceeding PLN 20 per kilogram.
Self-harvest phenomenon. fresh way for inexpensive fruit in Poland
In consequence to the marketplace crisis, farmers and consumers found an innovative solution – self-harvest. The thought is simple: the farmer makes his orchard available to clients who They collect fruit from trees by hand. This avoids the costs of hiring seasonal workers, and customers can buy fresh products at a much lower price.
The rules are usually very clear and repetitive in most farms offering this service. First, the client must be ready for physical work – he is liable for breaking the fruit. Secondly, the most common come with your own packaging, e.g. sluice or bucket. any plantations offer on-site containers, but this includes an extra charge, e.g. 3 gold per kilogram. Thirdly, there is frequently a minimum quantity of purchases, for example minimum 10 kilograms. This makes the offer the most attractive to those planning to make the preparations.
This business model is gaining popularity across Poland. This is not only a way to save money, but besides a form of spending free time. As Kamila Stawińska, co-owner of the plantation close Trzebnica, says in an interview with “Fakt”: “There were quite a few families with children, and the ladies besides came for strawberries for preparation.” This shows that same - harvesting becomes a summertime attraction, combining pleasant and useful.
Where to find 6 zł cherry? Map of inexpensive fruit in Poland
Self-harvest offers appear online like mushrooms after rain. simply search social media or local news sites to find orchards in your area. Prices are highly competitive compared to those in the store.
For example, in the village in Lower Silesia, close Trzebnica, price per kilo of cherry harvested alone is only PLN 6. The plantation owners confirm that there are no shortages of volunteers, and any customers can travel up to 100 kilometres to take the opportunity. This proves how determined Poles are to enjoy the taste of seasonal fruit without ruining their home budget.
It's not the only offer. akin proposals from different regions of the country can be found online. In the village close Bydgoszcz, the owner of the orchard offers cherry self-harvest at the price of PLN 10 per kilogramwhile ensuring that its fruit is not sprayed. In turn, in Staszowski region (Świętokrzyskie province) you can collect fruit until mid-August at an even lower price – only 5 PLN per kilogram. Self-harvest is simply a real revolution in the fruit market, which proves that with a small effort you can bypass advanced margins and enjoy the taste of summertime for a penny.
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Is it 6 PLN per kilo? There is 1 condition. Poles went to orchards
