The period for Polish-loved berries, besides known as blueberries or blackberries, brought unexpected problems in 2025. alternatively of abundant collections and available prices, we are dealing with real “black gold”. Forest fruits are not only highly expensive, but besides uncommon and frequently small. specified a situation strikes collectors, consumers and, above all, local businesses for which berries are a key component of the seasonal offer. The owners of the pastry store and bakery, for which blueberries are a summertime hit, beat the alarm – the absence of berries may mean the request to reduce production or even close the business even in the mediate of the summer. The problem is so serious that foresters issue urgent messages, explaining the causes of this worrying situation. Will conventional blueberries vanish from the shelves this year?
Blueberry prices are breaking records. How much is simply a liter?
On markets across Poland, the prices of berries scope sky advanced levels, making them 1 of the most costly seasonal fruits. In Sławna, in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship, 1 litre of these forest fruits must be paid even 35 PLN. Vendors frequently offer them in jars of different capacity, which makes it more hard for consumers to rapidly compare prices and measure the cost-effectiveness of purchase. 1 of the traders explicitly admits that the current rates are not definitive – the berries "certainly only more expensive" will be in the following days of the season. Last year, evidence prices reached 45 PLN per litre. This year, with current shortages, this limit can be easy exceeded, making berries a luxury product only available to the few.
Sugar bars on the verge of bankruptcy. “Without berries I will close the business”
The deficiency of available berries on the marketplace is simply a blow to local gastronomy and the confectionery industry. conventional berries, a symbol of Polish summertime and a favourite delicacy of many, this year may be a deficit commodity. This is most felt by tiny entrepreneurs, for whom berries are the basis of the seasonal offer. Mrs Emilia, the owner of the popular “Jagodzianka” bakery in Olsztynek, does not hide the dramatic situation. "Without berries by the end of July, I will gotta close the bakery" he alarms in conversation with RMF FM reporter. She emphasises that this year, "the berries are of the weight of gold" and that her business takes "every kilogram" of fruit that can be obtained. With a kilo of berries, Mrs Emilia is able to prepare just 5 to six berries. Although the price of her baking (10 PLN) is much lower than in another places in Poland (where it reaches 34 PLN), it is "dicted by the price we gotta pay for a kilo of berries". If the deliveries do not improve, the bakery can end in the mediate of the season, depriving residents of their favourite pastries. another bakeries are desperate for fruit, offering even 30 PLN per kilogramwhich is inactive an excessive rate for baking producers.
Foresters explain why. The weather destroyed the harvest.
Why specified drastic shortages and advanced prices of berries in the 2025 season? Foresters have no doubt. The main origin is this year's unfavorable weather. Tadeusz Lewandowski, Sławno Forester, explains that “This year’s aura was specified that part of the berry inflorescence destroyed the weather and so there are no berries in many places.” He adds that those fruits that, despite unfavourable conditions, managed to grow are “very small”. Spring frosts, excessive rainfall, or fast temperature changes in key stages of plant improvement may have damaged the delicate flowers from which fruit was to be produced. As a result, even in traditionally abounding areas, the harvest is symbolic this year, which straight translates into their availability and price on the market.
Do you buy costly berries? Be careful not to be fooled
For berry lovers this year's summertime means first of all the request for a deeper look into the wallet. It is besides a position of a much shorter period for fresh fruit and favourite pastries. Despite the advanced prices, many Poles do not quit buying, treating berries as a taste of childhood and an component of summertime tradition worth paying for, even if the cost of a litre jar equals the price of a good book or lunch in a restaurant. In the face of specified a large expense, it becomes crucial to make certain that we buy good quality fruit that will not lose their properties after a fewer hours. First of all, it is worth noting whether the berries in the container do not let the juice go. Why is it so important? Fruits which are wet or ‘sooze’ may be overripe, mechanically damaged during harvesting (especially by combs which are faster but little delicate) or improperly stored at besides advanced temperature. By purchasing specified berries, we hazard that alternatively of firm fruit we will get a brown that is not suitable for many culinary applications, specified as addition to cake or desserts. To minimize this hazard and enjoy the best taste, you should like hand-picked berries – they are usually little damaged, which translates into better quality, taste and longer durability.
In summary, the 2025 blueberry period is hard for both collectors and consumers and entrepreneurs. Unfavorable weather drastically reduced yields, elevating prices to evidence levels and threatening the existence of local bakeries. Berry lovers must prepare for more spending and shorter access to fresh fruit, while remembering a fewer rules that will let to buy the best quality product, despite the hard marketplace situation. The situation shows how much availability and price of popular seasonal products depend on natural conditions.
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An urgent message from the forest. The berries are so expensive, they vanish from Poland!