Polish berry business faces challenges
This has been a challenging year for many in the fresh produce industry. How has 2022 been for your business?
Dominika Kozarzewska : It is definitely more difficult to grow and market blueberries these days. Not only do we have to face challenges related to climate, sudden weather events, droughts and floods, but also the market presents a series of challenges.
Extremely high inflation, rising production costs, lack of labor and unstable demand, not to mention political and economic instability and the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic: these are the difficulties that we not only had to face this year , but we will also face affecting our business in the future.
Rising costs for raw materials, energy and logistics have been a major headwind for many this year. How have these affected you?
DK : It is difficult to find solutions when you are faced with costs that in some cases are several times higher than in 2021. We have tried to optimize transport and find savings by working to increase our efficiency and productivity.
Has the war in Ukraine had a direct impact on any of your businesses?
DK : The situation in Ukraine has touched us very deeply as many of our employees are Ukrainian. Since the very beginning of the invasion, we have been involved in numerous initiatives to provide the necessary support to our neighbors in Ukraine and to support our employees and their families, who have been affected by the war.
What is the broader market for your key products currently like?
DK : We have noticed a stagnation in demand and growth, and we believe this is mainly due to high global inflation.
What is giving you the most optimism for the future?
DK : We are developing new markets and further diversifying our sales directions, which is very exciting and a key development in the current difficult market conditions. We have started working with several new markets in the Middle East and South Asia, we are also starting to import fruit out of season.
We are also very excited that the International Blueberry Organization Summit 2023 will be held in Poland in July 2023. This will be an excellent opportunity for the global blueberry community to discuss current challenges and look for ways forward. for the industry.
ARTÍCULOS RELACIONADOS
