During the period of lowest prices for the blueberriesMarceli Dubczyk, president of the Polish Blueberry Producers Association (SPPB), had predicted that August would be a more favorable month for producers. Today, with purchase prices on the rise, those predictions are beginning to be confirmed.

The upturn is encouraging for the sector, although the shortage of temporary workers continues to cause concern in the middle of the season.

A prediction that is beginning to come true

Almost three weeks ago, when the purchase prices of blueberries Prices were at their lowest levels, Sad24 spoke with Marceli Dubczyk. At that time, the price lists weren't particularly optimistic, but both the leader and numerous producers maintained the expectation that the trend would change during August.

Today, that prediction seems to be coming true quite accurately. Already in the first week of the month, the prices of the blueberries Table potatoes have started to rise. This season, producers seem to have moved beyond prices close to 10,00 PLN/kg. All indications are that August will be more favorable for them, although significant challenges remain.

Harvest progress

“The peak supply is behind us. The Bluecrop harvest is in its final stages, and growers have practically forgotten about Duke. In the case of newer, higher-quality varieties, such as Draper or Calypso, we could say colloquially that they are already halfway through their harvest,” Dubczyk explained.

Regarding these latter varieties, some producers are not sending all the fruit directly to market, but are instead storing it in cold storage. According to the leader, this scenario was foreseeable for two reasons: firstly, the heavy losses due to frost in Chandler, a variety that is a key component of the season nationwide; and secondly, the producers' intention to take advantage of a more favorable situation and sell the fruit at higher prices.

Smaller harvest from Chandler

“In a frost-free season, we harvest around 5 kg of fruit per bush. This season we're getting around 1,5 kg. Of course, this is just one specific example, and the situation varies from field to field. However, if we project a drop of this magnitude nationwide, we can understand the effect we're seeing on price lists,” the producer and leader added.

Chandler remains an important part of the late-ripening varieties in Poland, and its harvest can extend until the end of September. Therefore, Dubczyk and other growers emphasize the significant impact that the reduced availability of this variety will have on market performance in August.

© Marceli Dubczyk

Current purchase prices for blueberries

As of August 11, 2026, producer groups in the Grójec area are offering around PLN 15,00/kg per blueberries purchased wholesale. It's worth noting that the lowest price this season reached nearly 10,00 PLN/kg.

Fruit delivered in smaller individual packages or in buckets usually reaches values ​​between 16,00 and 17,00 PLN/kg.

The area cultivated with other late-maturing varieties, such as Elliott, Liberty, Last Call, or Aurora, and therefore their supply, is not large enough nationally to compensate for the reduced availability of Chandler. As a result, purchase prices have been rising slowly but steadily since the beginning of August.

“For example, I have already finished my harvest for the 2026 season,” Dubczyk commented, also pointing to another relevant problem for the sector.

© Marceli Dubczyk

Shortage of temporary workers

The problem is the lack of workers during August, especially between August 10th and the beginning of September. In the second half of the month, thousands of Ukrainian women workers return to their country, a movement traditionally associated with the start of the school year and the potato harvest on smaller farms.

That's why we're currently seeing an increase in job postings and advertisements from producers seeking workers. However, when there aren't enough applicants, even the highest rates can't completely solve the labor shortage.

The better prices are encouraging, but the shortage of temporary workers is becoming increasingly evident.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of machines for mechanical harvesting of blueberries within the industry. A services market is also likely to develop. In my opinion, by August it will be increasingly common to see different types of harvesters and vibrators in Poland,” concluded Marceli Dubczyk.

Read also:

• Poland is perfectly located to conquer the blueberry markets of Central and Eastern Europe
• The premiumization of Poland
• Poland's blueberry boom: Navigating growth amid agricultural challenges
• Polish blueberry producers are focusing on genetics, quality standards, and a balanced supply.