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Poland is the fourth largest recipient of German exports

According to data from the Polish Economic Institute (PIE) for January-November 2024, Poland overtook China, achieving a 6 percent share in German exports. The value of supplies to Poland amounted to EUR 87 billion, which emphasizes the growing importance of economic cooperation between the two countries.

Poland’s rise from seventh to fourth place in five years

Back in 2019. Poland was seventh among the recipients of German goods, behind China, Great Britain and Italy. In five years, our country has moved up three positions, which was possible thanks to an impressive average annual export growth of 7.8 percent in 2019-2024.

“Of the twenty main markets for Germany, Poland has grown the fastest in recent years. Over the past six years, exports to Poland have grown by an average of 7.8 percent, which allowed Poland to become the fourth recipient of German exports in 2024,” comments Marek Wąsiński, head of the PIE global economy team.

Decline in exports to China

Polish’s advancement coincided with a clear decline in German exports to China. After years of stable supplies, exports to China decreased by 8.5 percent in 2023 and by another 7 percent in 2024.

This trend reflects broader changes in global supply chains. On the one hand, Poland, as an economy with dynamic growth and growing investment attractiveness, is recording an increase in imports of German goods. On the other hand, German companies are facing increasing challenges in China due to geopolitical tensions and the economic slowdown.

Poland at the centre of European supply chains

The importance of Poland in German trade is not limited to the growing demand for goods from across the Oder. Poland also plays an important role in European supply chains, especially in the automotive, machinery and electronics sectors.

According to OECD (Trade in Value Added – TiVA) data, about 5 percent of the value of Polish exports is German value added. This represents about 1/3 of the total value of German exports to Poland. This means that goods from Germany, after processing in Poland, are often exported further – to other countries or back to Germany.

The future of economic cooperation

Poland’s rise to 4th place in the ranking of German export markets confirms the growing importance of economic cooperation between the two countries. By strengthening its position as a manufacturing and logistics hub, Poland has the potential for further growth in the high-tech, automotive and renewable energy sectors.

Although the value of German exports increased by 17 percent compared to 2019, their share in GDP decreased slightly. However, Poland remains one of the few markets that consistently record growth and strengthen its position in German exports.

Source: Polish Economic Institute, Poland has overtaken China and is already the fourth recipient of German exports