Egypt Takes 61% of Poland’s Non-EU Apple Exports as Kazakhstan Shipments Collapse
Poland exported 15,412 tonnes of apples outside the EU in September 2026, with Egypt taking 9,397.6 tonnes. Shipments to Kazakhstan fell to 39.8 tonnes after an import ban took effect on September 3.
Egypt accounts for most non-EU apple shipments
Egypt absorbed 61% of Poland’s apple exports to markets outside the European Union in September 2026, highlighting a sharp concentration of shipments in a single destination. Data from Poland’s State Plant Health and Seed Inspection Service, reported by Kobieta w Sadzie, show that the country exported 15,412 tonnes of apples, 2,003 tonnes of pears and 59 tonnes of blueberries outside the bloc between September 1 and 30.
Polish apple deliveries to Egypt reached 9,397.6 tonnes during the month. That was well ahead of India, which purchased 1,877.8 tonnes, and Mongolia, with 919.6 tonnes. Colombia ranked fourth at 862.5 tonnes, while Belarus received 772.5 tonnes, equivalent to 5% of the reported non-EU apple total.
Egypt was also the largest foreign buyer of Polish apples in 2025, when it purchased 67,400 tonnes. That annual volume was equivalent to an average of roughly 5,600 tonnes per month, making the September 2026 result substantially higher than the previous year’s monthly average. The figures underline Egypt’s growing importance to Polish growers and exporters, but they also expose the sector to demand, payment and logistics risks in one market.
Asian and Latin American destinations provide a broader outlet
India remained the second-largest destination in September. Together with Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and Thailand, the South and Southeast Asian markets listed in the data received a combined 2,172 tonnes. Mongolia’s purchases were also notable: despite being a substantially smaller market than India, it imported more Polish apples during the month than Belarus.
Latin America provided another channel for Polish fruit. Colombia bought 862.5 tonnes, while Panama received 81.7 tonnes and Costa Rica 19.5 tonnes. Other reported destinations included Saudi Arabia at 250.2 tonnes, Libya at 233 tonnes, Norway at 201.4 tonnes, Oman at 104.9 tonnes and Ukraine at 81.5 tonnes.
These smaller flows demonstrate the geographic reach of Polish apple exporters, extending from North Africa and the Middle East to Asia and Latin America. However, none came close to Egypt’s September volume. Even India, the second-largest buyer, accounted for only 12.2% of shipments, compared with Egypt’s 61%.
Kazakhstan ban removes a major market
The most significant change was the near disappearance of Kazakhstan from the ranking. Kazakhstan had been Poland’s second-largest non-EU apple customer in 2025, purchasing 42,500 tonnes over the year, or an average of about 3,500 tonnes per month. In September 2026, the recorded volume dropped to just 39.8 tonnes.
Kazakhstan introduced a ban on apple imports on September 3, 2026, scheduled to remain in force through the end of the year. Kobieta w Sadzie reported that the small September volume may represent consignments prepared and cleared during the first days of the month, before the restriction took effect.
The loss of a market that previously ranked among Poland’s leading destinations increases pressure to place fruit elsewhere. Egypt currently offers the largest outlet, while India, Mongolia and Colombia provide meaningful alternatives. For growers, packers and traders, the September data show that destination diversification has expanded geographically, but shipment volumes remain highly concentrated and vulnerable to regulatory changes in individual importing countries.
