Cucumber prices in Poland quadruple to a 10-year high

Wholesale prices for locally grown greenhouse cucumbers in Poland have reached their highest level in a decade amid a shortage of domestic supplies and expensive imports. Over the past five weeks, cucumber prices have nearly quadrupled, currently reaching PLN 10–15/kg (approximately €2.5–3.8/kg). These levels exceed not only average prices in recent years but also the previous highs recorded over the past decade.

The main reason for the sharp price increase has been a seasonal decline in Polish greenhouse cucumber production. In recent weeks, domestic cucumbers have virtually disappeared from the wholesale market, while imported supplies have remained expensive and limited. A significant share of high-quality greenhouse cucumbers has been supplied by the Netherlands, where the end of the growing season has also pushed prices higher.

Another factor behind the shortage has been the delayed arrival of supplies from Spain. In early autumn, shipments from the Almería region were limited as the winter growing season was only beginning. However, Spanish cucumber supplies have been gradually increasing since early November, already affecting prices across the European market.

In Spain’s Almería region, growers are currently selling long cucumbers at approximately €1/kg, compared with €1.25/kg a year earlier. Short French-type cucumbers are priced at €0.52–0.82/kg, significantly below last year’s level of around €1/kg. Rising Spanish exports have already led to a decline in imported cucumber prices in Poland: while prices ranged from PLN 8–13/kg at the beginning of the week, they have now mostly fallen to PLN 7–11/kg.

Further increases in shipments from Spain are expected to put additional downward pressure on cucumber prices in Poland and other European countries in the coming weeks. However, the shortage of domestically grown greenhouse cucumbers in Poland remains significant, meaning that prices could stay well above historical averages for some time, even as imported products become cheaper.

Tags: cucumber, Poland