Poland on the world map of printing – exports are growing

In 2024, Poland was ranked sixth in the world as a global leader in the export of printing products. According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), our country accounted for 5.25 percent of global exports of printed materials, reaching a value of EUR 1.65 billion, i.e. over PLN 7 billion.

Printed in Poland – valued around the world

The largest trading partner of Polish printing is our western neighbour – Germany, which in 2024 purchased Polish printed matter worth EUR 804 million. This was followed  by the United Kingdom (€116 million), France (€102 million), the Czech Republic (€85 million) and  the United States (€74 million).

Books, brochures and colouring books – export leaders

Products exported from Polish are mainly books and brochures, the value of which reached EUR 805 million – almost half of the total value of foreign sales of printed publications.

Exports of newspapers and magazines reached EUR 191.6 million, which is nearly 10 percent of the global market share, placing Poland in 5th place globally and 4th in Europe.

The results in niche segments of the Polish printing industry are impressive. The export of colouring books and picture books reached EUR 51 million, which translates into a nearly 5% share in the global market – thus Poland is 4th in the world and 2nd in Europe in this category.

The foundations of Polish printing houses sucesss

The success of Polish printing houses is based on a combination of several factors that distinguish them from the international competition. First of all, these are advanced technologies used in production processes, high quality of services offered and attractive price conditions. Companies from Poland effectively respond to the growing expectations of foreign customers, offering comprehensive service, flexibility of operation and meeting deadlines for placed orders.

Currently, significant changes are also observed in the geographical structure of exports of Poland’s printing industry. Although Germany still remains the largest recipient of Polish printing houses’ services, its share in total exports decreased by 10% in 2024. The effective strategy of diversification of sales directions pursued by Polish exporters of printing products has resulted in more dynamically developing trade relations with other countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States.

The importance of printing for Poland’s economy

The success of Poland’s  printing industry’s exports is also a strong production base for other sectors of the domestic economy. Polish offset, digital and flexographic printing houses employ tens of thousands of people. They serve not only publishers, but also manufacturers from the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and e-commerce industries.

A special role is played  by the development of printed packaging, especially ecological packaging, which is becoming a distinguishing feature of brands  and driving innovation in the FMCG sector – both by global corporations and local manufacturers. By supporting their competitiveness, the printing industry itself gains an impulse for further development, investment and automation.

Sources:

• Gazeta Prawna, „W branży poligraficznej Polska jest światową potęgą”
• International Trade Centre (ITC), ITC Annual Report 2024