Polish food valued in Europe and around the world
Poland is one of the largest food producers in Europe. It is also one of the largest exporters and last year was a record year in this respect. The taste and aroma of Polish products has already become a brand in itself.
Record exports
The value of exports of Polish agri-food products in 2022 amounted to EUR 47.6 billion, i.e. the equivalent of approx. PLN 223 billion. Compared to the previous year, there was an increase of as much as 26.7 percent. On the other hand, since Poland’s accession to the European Union, the value of agri-food exports has increased by 9 fold.
In fact, 74 per cent of exports (EUR 35.3 billion, i.e. PLN 166 billion) go to other EU countries – primarily to Germany (as much as 25 per cent), the Netherlands, France, Italy and the Czech Republic. The main export products to EU countries are poultry meat, dairy products, beef, bread and bakery products.
The remainder of agri-food goods, with a total value of €12.3 billion (PLN 58 billion), is sent to the UK, Ukraine, the US and Saudi Arabia. It is also worth noting a 50% increase in exports to Israel when we compare the years 2022 and 2021. Companies from Poland most often sell dairy products, poultry meat, wheat, chocolate and chocolate products, as well as bread and bakery products to these markets. Some Polish products are halal and kosher certified.
Popular products made in Poland
In 2023, according to PMR, the entire food market in Poland is expected to be worth up to PLN 440 billion. Poland is already a leader in some product categories.
The report of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency “The Polish Food Specialities Sector” indicates that since 2014 our country has maintained the No. 1 position in poultry meat production in the EU. Pork and beef producers also have a very good reputation.
An interesting case is goose breeding, which has been taking place in Poland for over three hundred years. Currently, the most popular species is our native breed – the White Kołudzka Goose. And although goose meat itself is definitely less popular on domestic tables than chickens, turkeys and ducks, it is this type of meat that successfully manages to conquer foreign markets – especially in Germany and Hong Kong. In addition to goose meat and fat, down and feathers are also particularly valued. Here, Poland is the third largest exporter in the world.
Poland is also in the top three in terms of fruit production (annual harvest of 5.2 million tonnes). One of our specialties is the production of cherries. In addition, there is a strong presence on the market of cherry preserves and frozen fruit supplies.
In addition, we are the 4th largest producer of dairy products and the 5th largest producer of honey in the EU. In 2022, the value of exports of Polish dairy products amounted to EUR 3.6 billion. Polish investments made in recent years make the milk processing sector one of the most modern in the EU.
Without a doubt, “sweets” are our next specialty. An average Pole eats about 6 kg of sweets a year. But a large part of the products end up on other markets. An interesting trail leads to our famous fudge. According to the PAIH report, this can be found on store shelves even in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain.
For many years, Poland has also been famous for the production of high-quality spirits – vodka, beer, cider, and recently also wine. The entire product category is also valued outside Europe – including the US and Canada. Some brands are globally recognizable, and one of them, manufactured in Żyrardów, belongs to the global French group LVMH, which brings together luxury brands and products.
Family farms are still an important group of the Polish agricultural sector. Compared to other countries, it is considered to be more ecological, due to the lower use of fertilizers and pesticides. But there are also large entities operating on the market. Besides, the professionalism of Polish food producers allows them to constantly expand their product range and expand into more and more distant markets. Companies such as Maspex, Colian and Mokate are the best examples of this.
It is worth remembering that PAIH supports the process of establishing business relations by Polish entrepreneurs and their expansion abroad.
The material comes from the September issue of the LOT in-flight magazine Kaleidoscope