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Leading Polish producer and distributor Amplus has revealed how the cold weather in Turkey, Spain and Italy has affected its imports of vegetables this winter.

“We are mostly doing imports at the moment,” said strategy and development manager Magdalena Domzalska. “Spanish and Moroccan tomatoes have had some quality problems. The availability from Turkey is better, but the sizes are smaller.”

Meanwhile, courgettes and aubergines are in short supply in Poland, according to Domzalska. “There is virtually nothing on the market right now,” she said. “Broccoli and cauliflowers are available, but only at very high prices.”

Local production of cucumbers will become available in the next two weeks, added sales director Magdalena Sotwin-Rychlak. “We don’t predict any quality issues, but there are questions over availability. It all depends on the weather. Every year is different.”

Domzalska also welcomed the improved demand for Polish apples. “The impact of the Russian ban is less now,” she said. “We changed direction and started to expand in southern Europe, including in Slovenia, Serbia and Italy. We have also started sending to Vietnam, where Polish apples are a big hit. The important thing is to remain flexible.”