Fruit producers are claiming that Polish fruit is able to match producers from other countries for quality, but that more importantly, they are able to offer very competitive pricing. Before Poland joined the EU its fruit producers had to contend with prohibitively high export tariffs, which prevented many fruit producers from being price competitive.
A report in the Rzeczpospolita daily claimed that one fifth of the 11 million tons of apples sold in the EU this year will come from Poland, making it the top producer in the EU. Sales of berry fruits are also proving particularly successful, much being used as ingredients for products such as yoghurt.
Czech soft drinks firms mulls Polish plant
Czech soft drinks producer Kofola says it is considering opening a plant in Poland after the successful launch of two of its brands there.
Last year the company launched its Frupper and Jupik fruit drinks on to the market, which are said to have cracked the childrens and family market segment. Kofola is currently active on the Slovakia, Hungarian and Croatian markets.
Kofola says it is mooting setting up a factory in Kutno, though a final decision is not expected until August. The company did confirm that it was in discussion with local government about the plans.
Where's all the butter?
Dairy producers in Slovakia are reporting unprecedented levels of butter export to neighbouring countries following its accession into the European Union.
The main market for the butter has proved to be Hungary, where butter is said to now be nearly one third of its pre-accession price.
However the success of the exports has led to problems closer to home, where many shops and supermarkets are reporting severe butter shortages. Indeed several large supermarket chains have replaced the sale of butter with margarine.
Tea company considers coffee
Russian company May, one of the leading producers of tea, says it has become an exclusive distributor of Switzerland's World Coffee Company.
The Swiss company currently produces the Silver Label brand of sublime coffee that is sold in Russia in three variations, Balanced Blend, Strong Blend and Cream Blend. May owns some of Russia's best known tea brands, including Korona Rossivskov Imperi and Zolotye Lepestki.