Greenhouse cucumber imports from Russia are causing increased scrutiny in Poland, impacting both import volumes and potential re-exports under mistaken origins. Eurostat data reveals that by January 2025, overall Russian agricultural exports to the EU dropped by 79% compared to January 2024. However, fresh cucumber exports from Russia climbed markedly in the spring of 2025, reaching their peak in four years.
Reports indicate that in March 2025, Polish entities procured 2,100 tons of Russian cucumbers at 2.7 million euros, a 2.5-fold increase from February figures, as per growhow.com. Of the 3.25 million euros spent by Poland on cucumber imports that month, 83% originated from Russia, making Poland the primary EU importer of Russian cucumbers. Other suppliers included Turkey, Belarus, and Ukraine.
Following this influx, IJHARS, Poland's Food Quality Inspection, intensified monitoring efforts. In the first quarter of 2025, they inspected 125 batches of Russian fresh cucumbers weighing over 2,000 tons, with all meeting legislative requirements at inspection. Nonetheless, several country-of-origin labeling discrepancies were discovered.
Labeling violations included missing country-of-origin identification on documents or mislabeling, along with sales of large quantities lacking origin information. Such practices may enable origin substitution, violating legislative standards.
Polish farmers have previously protested against Ukrainian agricultural imports but have remained largely unresponsive to the rising influx of Russian produce into the market.
Source: EastFruit