Polish plant-based products – exports outside the EU in 2024

In the first half of 2024, Polish exports of plant-based products outside of the European Union maintained a strong position. The State Plant Health and Seed Inspectorate (PIORiN) has issued over 41,700 phytosanitary certificates, enabling export to 132 overseas countries and territories.

Main export directions

Polish plant products went primarily to:

• Ukraine – 22% of all phytosanitary certificates
• Belarus – 10 per cent.
• Kazakhstan and China – 9 per cent each.
• Egypt to India – 7 percent each.

Together, these six countries account for more than 64% of all exports to non – EU countries with phytosanitary controls.

Apples – an export leader

The most important position in the export of fresh fruit are apples.

In 2024, 13,674 phytosanitary certificates were issued, which accounted for nearly 270,000 tonnes of exported goods (approx. 70% of total exports of fresh fruit).

Polish apples went to 42 countries, with 91% of the total volume going to:

• Kazakhstan – 20 %
• Egypt – 20%
• Indie – 16 %
• A further percentage to: Belarus, Mongolia, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Libya, Colombia and Norway.

Compared to 2023, apple exports decreased by about 10% (from 304,000  tons in 2023 to 270,000 tons in 2024).

A significant increase in exports took place, among others  to Libya (+131 per cent), while the largest decrease was recorded to the United Arab Emirates (-68%).

Cereals and potatoes – a growing volume

Cereal grains and cereal products:

• 3,090,511 tons of exported goods,
• Although they accounted for only 2 per cent of the certificates issued (955), they accounted for the largest tonnage – exports often take place in ship batches.

Potatoes (mainly for consumption):

• increase by 43 percent. in the number of certificates compared to 2023,
• total exports: 25,924 tonnes.

Export of other groups of goods

• Fresh vegetables and mushrooms – 48,098 tons.
  Wood and wood products – 40,094 tonnes / 8.39 million m³.
  Plants for planting – 15,371 tonnes / 38.5 million pieces.

Despite the decrease in the number of certificates in some groups (e.g. vegetables and plants for planting), Poland maintained a strong presence on non – EU markets

Prospects and challenges for the future

Year by year, the export of Polish agricultural products is becoming more and more important on non-EU markets, in particular in the countries of Central Asia, North Africa and South Asia. PIORiN’s data for 2024 leave no doubt – this is where the growing interest in our cereals and apples, which have become symbols of Polish’s export potential, is concentrated.

The phytosanitary and logistical requirements set by these markets are high, but at the same time they open up new opportunities for Polish producers and exporters ready to adapt to their specifics.

Source: Państwowa Inspekcja Ochrony Roślin i Nasiennictwa (PIORiN)