Prices of white cabbage in Poland are still record high

On the Polish wholesale market there is still a high demand for white cabbage. Both on the wholesale market, as well as in the processing industry. Cabbage instead of cheaper, which is usually the norm in autumn, is more expensive. Demand is therefore so much above current supply that it not only helps to maintain high, stable prices, but also pushes them upwards.

Currently, the prices of white cabbage for industry (in purchases) range from 0.16 to 0.21 EUR/kg, depending on the region of Poland. Prices of "market" cabbage directly from a farmer start from 0.21 EUR/kg and reach 0.30 EUR/kg. Most often it is 0.23-0.26 EUR/kg.

The current average selling price in the large wholesale remains at a record high level. Higher than in the same period of 2015 and 2010. Is there a repeat of the 2010/2011 season and an average of more than 0,47 EUR during the spring season?

This is not excluded, although it is not foregone either. We must be aware that the increase in prices on the Polish market stimulates imports. Of course, Germany is at stake and imports from this country will start immediately, but it should be remembered that this season's German harvest is also low. There are also imports from the east - from Belarus. Maybe from Ukraine, or even from Russia (in the 2015/2016 season some Russian cabbage is said to have entered our market). However, in the case of the eastern direction it will not be tens of thousands of tons either. Especially that their problems with the storage base make it possible for them to export now, and not in spring, when the needs will be greatest.

The main factor here will be whether the Polish cabbage will be sold on an ongoing basis, or whether a large part of it is kept for late winter and spring.  If there will be a lot, the prices at the end of the season will fall (similarly as in spring 2016).