Group introduces a dedicated European division offering retailers across Poland and Central and Eastern Europe 52-week berry supply
Soft fruit specialist Winterwood has announced that it is expanding its presence in the European berry market with the launch of Winterwood Europe.
The UK-headquartered group said the move creates a dedicated retail supply business offering year-round berry programmes to customers across Poland, as well as the broader Central and Eastern European market.
According to the company, the new division brings together Winterwood’s own large-scale production, packing infrastructure and international supply network to give European retailers greater consistency and security of supply throughout the year.
”Blueberries will sit at the heart of the new business, with Winterwood Europe having access to almost 20,000 tonnes annually through Winterwood’s own farms and its wider international procurement network,” it stated.
”Raspberries, blackberries and strawberries will also form part of the offering for selected retail customers.”
Winterwood Europe will be led commercially by Maciej Wójtowicz, commercial director, who is based in Poland and will focus on developing retail partnerships across Poland and the wider Central and Eastern European market.
The business is backed by the scale of the wider Winterwood Group, described as a global growing, packing and supply operation with ”significant” berry production in Poland, South Africa and the UK.
Winterwood outlined that its own production will provide the foundation of its European retail programmes, giving the business direct oversight of crop planning, quality and availability.
This will be complemented by fruit from a network of established strategic growing partners to bridge seasons and provide continuous supply.
The result, it pointed out, is ”a genuine 52-week berry programme” designed around the needs of major retailers.
“The strength of Winterwood Europe is that we are approaching retail supply as growers,” said Wójtowicz.
”We understand the crop, the challenges of production and the importance of planning well ahead to give customers confidence in their programmes.
“At the same time, we have the international reach and partnerships needed to provide continuity beyond our own production seasons,” he noted.
”Bringing those two elements together gives us an extremely strong proposition for retailers in this part of Europe.”
Its Polish operations also provide the new division with ”substantial” packing capability, with modern facilities capable of handling up to 30 truckloads of fruit each week.
Winterwood explained that this combination of production and packing capacity is expected to be particularly important during periods of market volatility, when weather events, shorter seasons or production challenges can rapidly tighten berry availability.
“By bringing together our own production in Poland, South Africa and the UK, our packing capability and our network of trusted growing partners, Winterwood Europe is in a very strong position to deliver both,” said Terry Gilham, Winterwood global company Director.
”It is an exciting next step for the group and one that builds on everything we have developed across our growing and supply operations.”
The European business has been operational since February 2025, initially focusing on supporting customers in Poland.
”Its development as Winterwood Europe now marks the next stage in the Group’s European growth, creating a dedicated commercial platform to combine Winterwood’s global production base, infrastructure and strategic supply network for retailers across the region,” the group added.
”Poland remains a key home market for Winterwood Europe, while expansion across Central and Eastern Europe will form an important part of the division’s long-term growth strategy.”
