Leading Polish mushroom cooperative Grzybek Losicki has reported a surge in sales over the last six months, from 300 tonnes a week to 400 tonnes, thanks to sales growth in eastern and southern Europe.
The company has benefited from having a logistics centre that is only 70km away from Poland's border with Belarus, where demand for Polish mushrooms is said to be rising, according to managing director Marcin Chomiuk.
Mr Chomiuk told Fruitnet that Grzybek Losicki expects to produce 400 tonnes of mushrooms per week during the rest of the year, exporting to key markets including Germany, France, the UK, the Netherlands. More recently, it has begun supplying customers in southern and eastern Europe.
Grzybek Losicki has been able to build its sales in new markets and has enjoyed higher demand for its products since it participated in this year's Fruit Logistica exhibition in Berlin, he explained. 'We have also purchased more mushrooms from local producers, so both sides have benefited from this exposure,' Mr Chomiuk added.
However, Mr Chomiuk believes that exports are unlikely to rise considerably as Poland's mushroom sector is now facing strong competition from cheap Chinese processed mushrooms, which he said have presented 'difficulties'.
The rising cost of fuel and, as a result transport, have also combined with problems presented by a 'disadvantageous zloty-euro exchange rate', he added.
However, Mr Chomiuk said his cooperative has been able to overcome these threats through cooperation with Dutch competitors.
Despite such difficulties, Mr Chomiuk said recent investments in packaging machinery and cleaning technology have allowed the company to enter new markets and target new clients with pre-packed mushrooms, which are ready for supermarket shelves.
No comments yet