Poland's Citronex Group produces between 900,000 and 1 million kilograms of tomatoes per week during the winter season, focusing primarily on raspberry-type varieties for the domestic market.
The company operates modern greenhouse complexes across three locations: Siechnice (47 ha), Ryczywół (22 ha), and Bogatynia (10 ha), with a total area of approximately 79 hectares. The winter production cycle runs from October to August, followed by a 1.5–2 month break for greenhouse preparation.
Citronex specializes in premium raspberry tomato varieties Tomimaru Micho and Tomimaru Muchoo, known for their taste and quality but requiring more demanding cultivation conditions. Production volumes peak during the winter months, December through February, when the company supplies the domestic market.
Retail prices for raspberry tomatoes in winter reach PLN 24–25 per kilogram, reflecting higher production costs. Over the past five to six years, production technology has changed significantly, while labor and energy costs have increased. Tomatoes are harvested manually, and additional expenses include lighting, packaging, and plant protection.
The main production risk remains the ToBRFV virus, which can quickly destroy entire crops. The company is testing varieties with medium to high resistance and has strengthened hygiene and disinfection protocols, adding further costs to operations.
Most production is supplied to the Polish market. This season, Citronex began a trial cooperation with Germany's Edeka and Denmark's Netto. In the summer season (April–August/September), exports go to Lithuania, Latvia, occasionally Ukraine and Bulgaria, depending on market conditions.
The company has also received a construction permit for a new greenhouse project in Dumbrăveni, Romania. Construction is expected to begin in spring, with the first Romanian-grown tomatoes planned for winter 2027.
Source: www.sadyogrody.pl
