Poland assesses tunnel berry yields and labour gaps at Berry Forum

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The second edition of Berry Forum 2025 in Ożarów Mazowiecki brought together more than 450 growers and industry representatives from across Europe. Over 40 companies presented technologies for strawberry and raspberry production, reflecting the rapid development of covered soft fruit cultivation in Poland.

© Berry Forum

Speakers noted that the expansion of tunnel acreage continues, with several hundred hectares added annually. However, they stressed that increasing the area alone is not enough to remain competitive. Improving production efficiency, optimizing resource use, and adopting data-driven management practices were highlighted as priority areas for growers.

Rising yield expectations
Technical presentations from Western European producers outlined the current performance benchmarks for covered strawberry production. Data presented by Ireneusz Wypasek of New Forest Fruit in the United Kingdom showed that yields in modern systems typically reach 60 to 70 tons per hectare, with advanced operations achieving 100 to 120 tons per hectare. These figures prompted discussion about how Polish growers might work toward similar yield levels.

© Berry Forum

Cost pressures and operational adjustments
Rising labor, energy, and input costs were recurring themes throughout the event. Speakers compared the situation in Poland to earlier trends seen in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Examples of improved workflow management, harvest planning, standardization, automation, and restructuring of labor systems were shared as practical options for farms facing increasing production costs.

© Berry Forum

Labor shortages remain a major constraint
Access to seasonal labor was identified as one of the central challenges for the sector. MP Mirosław Maliszewski noted that the fruit and berry industry requires more than 120,000 seasonal workers from Ukraine each year, with no clear alternative source of labor on a comparable scale. While more workers from Asia and Africa have entered the market, the numbers remain insufficient. Panelists said agriculture should be prioritized in migration policy and recruitment processes streamlined to ensure continuity of production.

Biological protection and retail requirements
Retail demand for low-residue fruit continues to influence production strategies. The forum showcased biological and microbiological plant protection technologies, including beneficial microorganisms, fungi, bacteria, and biostimulants. Experts indicated that reduced-pesticide systems will play a growing role in European berry production.

© Berry Forum

Outlook and future events
Organizers announced that the next edition of the Berry Forum will take place in November 2026. With continued growth in Polish dessert strawberry and raspberry production, the conference is expected to remain a meeting point for research, technology providers, advisory services, and commercial growers shaping the country’s soft fruit sector.

© Berry ForumFor more information:
BerryForum
Email: [email protected]
www.berryforum.pl

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