Photo: Bára Richterová, Praguein.cz/Apples from South Africa
There is a long debate about how the Czech Republic is self -sufficient in the production of vegetables and fruits. According to the agricultural union, the volumes of imports of vegetables and fruits increase, even in the case of crops that are commonly grown in the Czech Republic. For example, apples are no exception to states such as New Zealand or South Africa.
On the official Facebook account of the Agrarian Chamber of the Czech Republic, we noticed comments on the import of apples. The Chamber pointed out that in the Lidl retail chain they sell apples from South Africa, Chile or New Zealand. “We understand that Czech apples are not now before harvesting, but what about apples from neighboring countries?” the chamber pointed out on Facebook.
We then went to Lidl. On the shelves, Czech apples from fresh harvest appeared as a novelty, a kilogram cost 49.90 crowns, 45 crowns cost a kilogram of apples from Poland and for the same price was also apples from Italy. In both cases it was two kilograms of bags. The kilogram of the Red Jonaphuin variety from Poland was 49.90, the apples from South Africa or New Zealand were thirty crowns more expensive. 69.90 crowns cost the apples of Cosmic Crisp from Italy. We have seen the same states and very similar prices in other stores.
Self -sufficiency decreases
“The Czech Republic is not forced to be imported for direct consumption, ie we are forced to meet domestic demand. Two months before harvesting apples from last year are no longer in warehouses, but they can be imported from neighboring countries. Zealand. It has undertook to reduce the CO2 operating emissions by 80 percent.
In her words, Czech farmers do not determine prices and have a limited impact on how much they sell their production. In the time before harvesting fruits and vegetables in the Czech Republic, prices on the shelves are usually higher, but with the availability of domestic production, they mostly reduce them.
In addition to the Agricultural Union, the decreasing self -sufficiency is confirmed by the Agrarian Chamber. “The self -sufficiency of the Czech Republic in the production of apples is gradually decreasing, as the orchards decrease. According to official statistics, it now reaches 67 percent, but this figure combines apples for direct consumption and the processing for processing for direct consumption.
For example, in 2023, according to the Agricultural Association, 61.6 million kilograms of apples were brought to the Czech Republic. The main importers included Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Italy.
A number of Czech farmers do not like that there are no more crops from the Czech Republic on the shelves of Czech shops. “I have tried to agree with the big chains several times. But their policy is to buy the cheapest possible, which has logic, but for us these are absolutely unacceptable,” added the apple grower for Praguein.cz.
