Discover which fruits and vegetables are synonymous with summer in Poland, with strawberries leading the way as the ultimate symbol of the season.
For over half of Poles (56%), strawberries are the quintessential symbol of summer, according to a recent Kantar survey. Cherries (45%) and raspberries (44%) closely follow as the fruits most associated with the season. Among other fruits serving as symbols of summer, Poles also include cherries, blueberries, currants, and black currants. When it comes to vegetables, cucumbers (26%) and asparagus (23%) take the lead.
Fruits of Summer
The fruits that most people associate with summer are strawberries (56%), cherries (45%), and raspberries (44%). Slightly less commonly mentioned were cherries (33%), plums (25%), blueberries (23%), and currants (20%).
Nearly one-fifth of respondents mentioned red currants (18%), while slightly fewer mentioned black currants (17%), pears (16%), and blackberries (16%). Some respondents also associated summer with fruits that are typically harvested in late August, such as aronia (6%) and sea buckthorn (3%).
Summer Vegetables
As for vegetables symbolizing summer, cucumbers (26%) and asparagus (23%) were the most commonly mentioned.
Less frequently, respondents mentioned Swiss chard (16%) and zucchini (12%). Other vegetables that came up as symbols included green peas (10%), bell peppers (10%), and eggplants (6%).
Fruits Trump Vegetables in Summer Associations
The survey revealed that fruits are more closely associated with summer than vegetables, with respondents more likely to mention fruits. Only 1% of people did not associate any specific fruits or vegetables with summer, while only 4% had difficulty naming specific types.
The survey was conducted from August 18th to August 23rd, 2023, with a representative sample of 1015 Polish individuals aged 15 and older. Interviews were conducted in respondents’ homes (CAPI). Kantar asked respondents about which fruits and vegetables they considered symbols of summer.
This study was financed by the Fruit and Vegetable Promotion Fund as part of the “Time for Polish Super Fruits! 5th edition” campaign carried out by the National Union of Fruit and Vegetable Producer Groups. The project is conducted under the honorary patronage of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Based on Kantar Polska research, 8/2023.