Caught in the influence of the political situation of the worsening of relations between the EU and Russia, Polish Apple producers curse a bountiful harvest this summer that flooded the country with hundreds of thousands of tons of fruit that no one sell.

"The situation in the Apple market in Poland is now quite heavy. Russia's embargo hit hardest by the Polish gardeners" — said Anna Staszewska, export specialist EUROSAD (a conglomerate of Apple growers, representing more than 30 Polish farms and 700 hectares of orchards).

After the annexation of Crimea to Russia in 2014, the Brussels imposed economic sanctions against Russia. Moscow responded with a ban on food imports from EU countries, with the result that Polish growers have lost access to the market, which accounted for more than half of total exports of apples from the country and about one-fifth of total production.

Together with the expected this year's harvest increase by 10% to a record 3.5 million tons, according to Polish government statistics Agency, the embargo has led to a collapse in the price of apples, that for many farms of Poland, which accounts for a third of all apples produced in the EU will result in significant losses this year.

"On the one hand, a good harvest is a success. But at the same time, this is a serious challenge for Polish farmers. In such a market, as it is now, it is impossible to make a profit", — said an analyst at Bank Zachodni WBK Grzegorz Rykaczewski.

In June, kilogram of dessert apples cost in Poland 1 zloty, and the apples used for industrial production of juice, cider and other products, sold at 0,23 zł per kilogram. This is approximately 20% lower than last year and less than half prices 2011.

"We are very concerned about this situation. If this will continue in the future, if the apples be many and prices will fall - I'm afraid many farmers will go broke", fears the owner of the trading company Fresh Fruit Services Marcin Hermanowicz.

EU sanctions against Russia are extended every six months, and the decision to extend each time causing more controversy. Countries, maintaining close relations with Russia such as Greece, Italy and Hungary, support full lifting of sanctions, arguing that they are counterproductive and do not affect the development of the situation in Ukraine.