KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is expected to become Poland's latest apple market, following the Russian-Ukraine war.
Poland is one of the leading producers of apples in the world and the largest in Europe but lost exports to Russia and Belarus owing to sanctions.
Association of Polish Fruit and Vegetable Distributors 'Fruit Union' secretary-general Paulina Kopeć said that there were plans to ship in 3,000 tonnes of apples to Kuala Lumpur by November.
"If this materialises, Malaysia could be the gateway for Polish apples to the Asean region – especially the large Thailand and Indonesian market - and reduce their dependency on imports from New Zealand, Australia, Italy, South Africa and United States.
"We too will like to have a slice of the Malaysian apple market and already talking to Malaysian importers, as it is among the favourite fruits here," said Paulina.
Besides apples, she said Poland was also striving to export blue berries and strawberries to Malaysia as it has an abundant source for the fruits.
"We have already captured Egypt which is Poland's largest apple market and are now moving into the African continent.
"Other strong markets are in Israel, India, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, further giving credibility for their apples' quality and popularity.
"Our apples are gaining trust by consumers in Asia as Polish fruits are very popular due to their unique taste and nutritional value.
"We have, through generations of cultivation, created a tradition and culture where our apple producers offer consumers fruits of the highest quality.
"Our apples are considered to be exceptional because of the unique climate which prevails in our country – giving them a proper balance of sweet and sour taste.
"The suitable soil, cultivation technology, knowledge and experience of the growers make the apples stand out from the fruits offered by producers from other parts of the world," said Paulina.
She added that Poland contributed 11 per cent of the European Union (EU)'s fruit production; 26 per cent of the EU's apple production; and had increased its fruit trees plantations by 11 per cent to 16,000ha.
"Polish fruits account for 1.9 billion euros, while its apples earn 925 million euros, annually," she said at a presentation attended by Polish ambassador Krzysztof Debnicki at the W Hotel in Jalan Ampang.
Poland exported more than 922,000 tonnes of apples last year with, as compared with the EU harvest of 11.7 million tonnes.
Paulina said that the cultivation of fruits and apples in her country had positively contributed to sustainable production, rural stability, biodiversity and a multitude of jobs.
"Our apple plantations have low pesticide usage, compared to other crops, and require very little water supply.
"Apples have huge nutritional values as they are high in fibre, low in fat, contain natural fructose and are free from sodium and salt.
"Our apple varieties are gala, golden delicious, najdared, red chief, red delicious and red jonaprince," said Paulina who is based at Grojec in the Mazovia province, about 40km from the Polish capital Warsaw.
