A survey conducted in July reveals strong agreement on what producers consider adequate price levels. Harvesting and labour are having an increasingly significant impact on costs.
What price enables a Polish blueberry farm to cover its costs, manage production risks and continue investing? According to a survey conducted in July among readers and supporters of the Blueberry Conference website, the most frequently cited answer was PLN 20/kg (approximately €4.65/kg).
This figure is not a forecast of market trends. Instead, it represents the price level considered acceptable by producers, based on their cost structure and the financial requirements of their farms.
Difficult sales and prices under pressure
The discussion took place during a season characterised, according to numerous accounts shared online, by marketing difficulties, weaker interest from buyers and a rapid decline in prices during the period of peak supply.
An article published by Jagodnik.pl on the market situation generated dozens of comments from growers in different regions of Poland. Although individual farms reported different experiences, several recurring themes emerged from the discussion.
Producers primarily reported difficulties in selling their fruit to buyers and the significant gap between farm-gate and retail prices. Another consideration concerns the evolution of the market: producing high-quality fruit remains essential, but quality alone is no longer sufficient to guarantee satisfactory financial results.
Some operators also interpret these difficulties as a consequence of the rapid expansion of planted areas in recent years, when blueberries were considered one of the most profitable fruit crops.
The most widely supported level is PLN 20/kg, equivalent to approximately €4.65/kg
When asked what price per kilogram would be satisfactory and allow profitable production, the responses showed a significant degree of agreement.
The most frequently cited threshold was PLN 20/kg (approximately €4.65/kg). According to most participants, this level would make it possible to cover costs, ensure business continuity and retain resources for future investments.
The survey also produced the following indications:
PLN 18/kg (approximately €4.19/kg) as the minimum profitability threshold;
PLN 23–25/kg (approximately €5.35–5.82/kg) as a range capable of generating a satisfactory income;
PLN 30–40/kg (approximately €6.98–9.30/kg) for organic blueberries.
However, not all producers believe that a single benchmark should apply throughout the entire season. According to some respondents, late varieties, premium-quality fruit and properly cooled products should command higher prices than blueberries sold during the peak supply period.
Production costs estimated at PLN 14–15/kg
The expectations expressed by growers are primarily determined by their cost structure. Many survey participants estimated the cost of producing one kilogram of blueberries at PLN 14–15/kg, equivalent to approximately €3.26–3.49/kg.
The calculation includes fertilisation, crop protection, irrigation, plantation depreciation and labour. Harvesting in particular, which is becoming increasingly expensive and difficult to organise, represents one of the items with the greatest impact on farm budgets.
Based on a production cost of PLN 14–15/kg (€3.26–3.49/kg), a price of PLN 20/kg (€4.65/kg) would leave a theoretical gross margin of PLN 5–6/kg, equivalent to approximately €1.16–1.40/kg.
This difference does not simply represent the producer’s profit: it must provide a return on invested capital, cover climatic and commercial risks, and finance the renewal and development of the farm.
The threshold identified by the survey therefore appears to be based on concrete economic assessments, rather than on a general desire for higher prices.
There is no single threshold for every farm
The price required to achieve profitability can nevertheless vary considerably. Yield per hectare, plantation age, variety, harvesting system, percentage of marketable fruit, packaging, cooling and sales channel all affect the actual costs incurred by each farm.
The level of PLN 20/kg (€4.65/kg) should therefore be interpreted as a benchmark shared by the respondents, rather than as a universal threshold applicable to every producer or product category.
The broad range indicated for organic production, between PLN 30 and 40/kg (€6.98–9.30/kg), also illustrates the extent to which production methods, yields, higher risks and the ability to market a differentiated product can affect the required price.
Growing interest in direct sales and pick-your-own
The responses also reveal a change in sales strategies. A growing number of farms are developing direct sales, offering their produce to local consumers or organising pick-your-own initiatives.
Shortening the supply chain can allow producers to retain a larger share of the final value, while giving consumers access to fresher produce. However, this model requires proximity to population centres, organisational capabilities, communication and direct customer management.
Another option identified by growers is processing blueberries into juices, jams or frozen products. These outlets can help add value to part of the crop and reduce dependence on the fresh market, although they do not eliminate the need for careful commercial organisation.
An indication for the future of the Polish industry
The survey reveals a relatively consistent view: for a significant proportion of Polish growers, approximately PLN 20/kg (€4.65/kg) represents a price level compatible with economically sustainable production under the conditions described.
However, the discussion also highlights a broader issue. As production capacity increases, competitiveness will not depend solely on blueberry quality. Supply planning, quality segmentation, storage, access to new markets and the development of sales channels capable of recognising differences between products will become increasingly important.
The challenge for Polish producers will therefore be to turn the price considered necessary into value that is effectively recognised by the market, differentiating their offer and reducing the pressure generated during periods of peak availability.
The figures reported are based on a survey conducted in July among blueberry growers and represent the assessments expressed by participants, rather than a forecast of market prices. The euro equivalents are indicative and were calculated using the European Central Bank reference exchange rate of 10 August 2026: €1 = PLN 4.2993. European Central Bank
Image by Stephanie Albert from Pixabay
Source: Jagodnik.pl
