The typical approach in the business strand of literature on inter-organisational forms of cooperation is based on the Porter’s value chain model or on the body of literature related to the supply chain. However, there is extended research on value chains based on a different theoretical tradition, rooted in world-systems theory and commodity chain concepts, which recently tend to merge under the umbrella of the Global Value Chain (GVC). We use this eclectic approach as a theoretical framework to investigate the issue of informational asymmetries considered as a barrier in upgrading the position of local producers in the GVC by enhancing quality. As an empirical illustration, we use the Polish apple sector. Poland is one of the largest apple producers in the world with a strong export orientation and linkages with the global value chain. The study provides an insight into the barriers of upgrading the position in GVC and ways to overcome them. Responsibility for the final quality offered for the end-user is strongly dispersed across many actors in the chain, while interrelations between them are plagued by the information asymmetry problem. Therefore, the upstream transmission of end-user quality expectations within the chain fails due to the lack of orchestrating incentives and causes the misbehaviour in conducting different activities in the chain. Thus, attempts to upgrade the position of Polish apple growers in the GVC should be focused on overcoming information asymmetries. Mechanisms such as branding, standardisation and certification seem to be promising ways forward.

Concentrated apple juice (AJC) is a globally traded commodity, with major producers such as China, Poland, and the United States supplying AJC to markets worldwide. The aim of this article is to determine the competitive position of the main global exporters of concentrated apple juice. It also seeks to analyze changes in their positions over the period from 2005 to 2023. Assessing competitive position is important for several economic and business reasons, including identifying leading exporters and recognizing both growing and declining markets. The competitive position was measured using Market Share (MS) indicators, Gross and Net Export Orientation indicators (E_gr, E_net), and the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) index. The results reveal significant structural shifts in global AJC trade. Most notably, China’s declining competitiveness, reflected across all indicators, led to its loss of market leadership. This raises questions about the reasons for this decline and whether it presents opportunities for other exporters. This signals a broader reconfiguration in the global AJC supply chain, driven in part by domestic economic changes, such as rising consumption and decreasing export orientation. Simultaneously, other countries, particularly in Eastern Europe, show varying degrees of competitive growth, with Moldova and Ukraine emerging as key players. These trends suggest a diversification of supply sources and a more fragmented competitive landscape. Although national differences persist, the analysis indicates that structural and economic transformations, rather than short-term price signals, are driving the evolving global competitiveness in the AJC market. The observed weak correlations between prior-year apple prices and RCA confirm that broader market and policy factors play a more decisive role.

Celem artykułu było określenie wielkości i kierunków wymiany handlowej jabłkami w krajach Unii Europejskiej w kontekście rosyjskiego embargo. Eksport zewnętrzy jabłek w UE w latach 2004-2013 rósł, przede wszystkim dzięki wzrostowi eksportu polskich jabłek do Rosji. Import zewnętrzy UE obniżał się i realizowany był przede wszystkim z państw półkuli południowej. Badania wykazały, że Polska była głównym dostawcą jabłek na rosyjski rynek z blisko 75% udziałem w wolumenie unijnego eksportu. W wyniku embarga doszło do znacznego obniżenie polskich cen (22%) oraz wolumenu eksportu w stosunku do roku poprzedniego.

Celem artykułu jest określenie zmian w zbiorach oraz rozdysponowaniu głównych gatunków owoców jagodowych w Polsce, a także ustalenie znaczenia polskiej produkcji tych owoców w świecie. W latach 2001-2012 rosła produkcja malin i porzeczek czarnych, a spadała truskawek. Przetwórstwo przemysłowe miało najwyższy i rosnący udział w zagospodarowaniu zbiorów głównych owoców jagodowych w Polsce. Głównym produktem przetwórstwa truskawek oraz malin były mrożone owoce, a porzeczek czarnych – soki zagęszczone.

The article presents the problem of competitiveness of Polish apples. In the paper the quantity of production and international trade of was analyzed. Major importers and exporters of apples were identified. In order to assess the international competitiveness ex post measure has been used. The study covered 2004-2015. The assumed research hypothesis has been verified positively. The indicators of the ex-post competitive position indicate that Polish apples were competitive in the world market in the years 2004-2015. Their position was increasing until the last study subperiod (2013-2015), during which, as indicated by some adopted indicators, it started decreasing.