"The Polish market is a bit different when it comes to tomatoes," says Kasia Kaczmarek, Key Account Manager at Axia Vegetable Seeds in Poland. "For one, pink tomatoes are incredibly popular here, which isn't the case in other big tomato markets, like the Netherlands. In fact, around 75% of the Polish tomato market is dedicated to pink varieties. They're viewed as a premium product—high-quality, tasty, and recognized for their freshness." Axia Vegetable Seeds has tailored its breeding to this local preference, developing pink varieties with the demand of Polish growers in mind.
Kasia Kaczmarek
Rugose resistance
For Axia, which began with cluster tomato breeding back in 2010, the current focus is on creating varieties that are resistant to the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV). "Our breeding program has moved incredibly fast, like when COVID-19 demanded rapid solutions. We've worked hard to incorporate resistance without sacrificing the yield, quality, and taste our customers expect," Kasia shared. As a result, Axia's line of 'XR' varieties, such as the Macxize XR and Xandor XR, plum-shaped Prunaxx XR, cherry Xanadu XR, besides other 30 plus varieties have been met with enthusiasm, she says.
Macxize XR 
Plum-shaped Prunaxx XR 
Cherry tomato Xanadu XR
While ToBRFV isn't yet widespread in Poland, growers are eager to prepare for any future outbreaks. "Right now, the virus isn't a major issue here as it is in other countries, but growers want to be ready," Kasia says. Therefore, Axia is now starting to breed rugose resistant varieties of their pink tomatoes. Examples of some pink varieties that are in high demand in Poland are HTT2050621 and HTT2150116. "These two (still nameless) varieties are the standard varieties of these pink tomatoes. We hope to have the rugose resistant XR version of these varieties available next year with their own names."
Pink variety HTT2050621 
Pink variety HTT2150116
Energy and labor
Apart from the color pink and virus resistance, what else is on Polish growers' minds? Kasia explains that Poland's tomato sector is heavily influenced by energy costs and labor challenges. "Polish growers rely more on coal for energy, which has become very expensive over the past few years. And while energy prices are a bit better now, labor costs are also rising sharply," she noted. Like in other parts of Europe, these challenges have made the demand for more resilient, high-yield varieties greater than ever.
Throughout these challenges, Axia aims to help growers wherever they can. "We listen to the growers' demands. What characteristics are they looking for and what challenges are they dealing with? As a breeding company, we try to adapt to those needs as quickly as possible."
Beyond supplying the seeds, Axia tries to help growers by sharing knowledge as best as they can. "I would love to travel and help every Polish grower but, unfortunately, it's not possible for me to travel to every Polish tomato grower to help them. However, our team and I are definitely available for any advice on our varieties and what works best in the Polish climate."
For more information:
Axia Vegetable Seeds
[email protected]
www.axiaseeds.com