Press Release

The Polish blueberry season is now open!

07 lipca 2023

The official inauguration of the Polish blueberry season took place during the International Blueberry Organization (IBO) Summit in Lublin, on 3 July 2023. The growers showed fellowship and encouraged blueberry lovers to buy their fresh fruit. The season was opened by Krzyś Sosnowski (1.5 years old), grandson of blueberry growers from the Lublin region. The IBO Summit showed Poland as a European leader in production and consumption promotion.

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The annual inauguration of the season in Poland is an opportunity to promote the blueberry superfruits. It usually takes place on 1 JULY, on Polish Blueberry Day. It is a celebration for all those who want to live a healthy and active life. And, traditionally, the first tasting is done by the youngest grower.

‘I thought it was exceptional. New, imaginative, bringing children into play with the product that we have to offer. It has really defined what has been a great event. Well, surprisingly to me, the Polish market is going gangbusters. I think the rest of the world needs to open their eyes up and listen and learn from what you guys in Poland have achieved,’ says Peter McPherson, Chairman of the International Blueberry Organization (IBO).

I think it’s really such a good story. It's how that you've integrated blueberry farming in with almost the soul of Poland. As you said you've had this sort of wonderful economic growth in in general and it's associated at the same time with the growth in the blueberry industry. And I like the idea that the values you have within the blueberry industry are shared by the Polish population. It's a great combination. So I mean domestically, you've done such a good job

says David Hughes, Professor Emeritus of Food Marketing at Imperial College London.

We are impressed and very happy to be part of this community. Above all, we are proud of Poland and an industry that is developing so rapidly,’ say Marlena and Jarosław Sosnowski, the parents of the little Krzyś.

‘Blueberry farming is very demanding; the plantation never lets you forget about it. But to take care of it gives a grower enormous satisfaction,’ says Marek Puszkarski, a blueberry grower and Krzysztof’s grandfather. I wish you a successful season. Let the blueberries keep on uniting. Industry integration is, after all, the starting point for building relationships between producers, retailers and consumers,' he adds.

‘A grower feeding it to their own child, there could hardly be better recommendation. Blueberry has been really widely appreciated by consumers. Many people congratulate us on what has happened in our domestic market. The promotion has done its job,’ says Ireneusz Komorowski, Honorary Chairman of the Board, Polish Blueberry Growers Association.

‘I think it is very cool that we are doing this, that 1 JULY makes you think of blueberries, that they are Polish. Blueberries in Poland make you think of children, health, and that’s great,’ adds Paweł Dąbrowski of Agronom Berries.

‘Yes, I loved it very much because of the connection between children, blueberries, the farm nature, everybody was happy. Everybody was all together. I liked it,’ says Thomas Drahorad, Presidente NCX Drahorad srl, Italy.

‘I don't know of any other fruit that is celebrated so much and engages so many people, so that entire families can celebrate and enjoy this beautiful day so much,’ adds Klaudia Drzazga.

I love the ceremony. Yeah, people who don't like children eating blueberries probably shouldn't be in this industry. Blueberries are fun. They're easy. They have no seeds, they have no stems. They have no peels. They're just there and they're a simple snack. And they're one of the singular, most healthy things you can eat, and they're getting better every day.’

says Cort Brazelton, Executive Comittee Member IBO.

World’s largest rise in consumption

Today, Poland is an example of a globally desirable market development model, with both large-scale production and internal demand developing. A skilful combination of ‘eat locally’ and ‘eat healthily, every day’. In this way, Poland has achieved the highest growth in recent years globally.

In addition to the health benefits, the participants of the Summit have emphasized the climatic conditions that were extremely good for the promotion of blueberries. The combination of cold winters and hot summers as well as the high daily temperature amplitudes favour the balance of sweetness and acidity that gives the Polish blueberries their unique taste.

Polish growers show how much can be done by working together. The integration of producers, commitment to nutritional education and the priority given to building regular consumption habits have become Poland’s showcase of sorts in the blueberry industry.

The opening of the blueberry season formed part of the ‘Time for Polish Superfruits!’ campaign. The Summit was organised by the Polish Blueberry Promotion Foundation, the partner of the event was the Association of Polish Blueberry Growers and the National Union of Fruit and Vegetable Producer Groups. Both projects are financed by the Fruit and Vegetable Promotion Fund. Both are implemented under the honorary patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

#IBOSummit2023 #PolishSuperFruits #PolandTastesGood

More photos: PressKit

Źródło: Polish Blueberry Promotion Foundation, KZGPOiW, PolskieSuperowoce.pl

The publication was financed by the Fruit and Vegetables Promotion Fund as part of a campaign executed by the National Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producers' Groups, ‘Time for Polish Superfruits! 5th edition’.

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About the IBO

The IBO is a global organization bringing together leaders from around the blueberry world in all segments of the industry, including blueberry producers and marketers, affiliated business, social groups, and governmental organizations worldwide.

We come together to learn, share, increase, understanding, distribute information, address mutual challenges, coordinate potential solutions and explore opportunities. Ultimately, the organization exists to advance the health and sustainability of the blueberry industry.

For more information, please visit https://www.internationalblueberry.org or write to info@internationalblueberry.org

Press release in Polish:

Sezon na polską borówkę rozpoczęty!

Uroczysta inauguracja sezonu borówkowego odbyła się podczas Szczytu International Blueberry Organization (IBO) w Lublinie, 3 lipca 2023 r. Plantatorzy pokazali wspólnotę i zaprosili miłośników borówki do zakupów swoich świeżych owoców. Otwarcia sezonu dokonał Krzyś S...

Czas na polskie superowoce!

Contact:

Dominika Kozarzewska

Członek Zarządu Fundacja Promocji Polskiej Borówki

+48 602 354 586

Katarzyna Grzegrzółka-Parafiniuk

Przewodnicząca Zarządu Fundacja Promocji Polskiej Borówki

+48 606 717 271

Maciej Dolata

Partner Zarządzający INSPIRE smarter branding

+48 501 865 755

Ireneusz Komorowski

Honorowy Prezes Zarządu Stowarzyszenie Polskich Plantatorów Borówki

+48 660 960 801

Bartłomiej Milczarek

Prezes Zarządu Stowarzyszenie Polskich Plantatorów Borówki

+48 519 303 833

Witold Boguta

Prezes Zarządu Krajowy Związek Grup Producentów Owoców i Warzyw, w CORE TEAM lider zespołu ds. Zespół ds. komunikacji roli warzyw i owoców w żywieniu człowieka

+48 504 096 015