Food Exports Poland
Most Polish food exporters recognize the necessity of complying with EU health and quality standards, and some exporters are taking extra steps to access the US market by becoming compliant with the US FDA or slaughtering animals using “Halal� methods, granting access to the highly-regulated Middle Eastern markets.
As regards particular countries, Germany remains the top export market for Polish foodstuffs, accounting for nearly 22% of all exports. The most popular export products (in terms of value) for the German market are smoked fish (mostly salmon), fruit juice (mainly apple juice), poultry meat, processed and preserved fish, biscuits, wafers and other bakery products, as well as milk powder, frozen fruit (mainly strawberries and raspberries) as well as cigarettes and beef. In the second place is the United Kingdom. The UK market imports significant amounts of chocolate and chocolate products as well as poultry meat. The Czech Republic is another large market for Polish food exporters, and poultry meat, cheese, bakery products, cakes and pastries and pork are the most popular Polish foods. Fourth place among the dominant buyers of Polish food is Russia, which is a fast-growing export market, particularly for pork and vegetables (mainly potatoes and cabbage), as well as apples, chocolate products, frozen vegetables and mushrooms. The French market imports significant amounts of cigarettes, vodka and poultry, and next largest markets are the Netherlands and Italy, both of which import significant amounts of cigarettes, beef and poultry meat. Turkey is registering large increases in exports of Polish food, particularly driven by beef. A significant increase in exports was recorded also for the Republic of Korea and Japan. In terms of value these products top the charts for exporters: cigarettes, beef, poultry meat, chocolate and chocolate products, pork, bakery and confectionery products (biscuits, wafers, etc.), sugar syrup, smoked fish (especially salmon), cheese and cottage n cheese and apples.
The number of plants certified to trade on the Single Market has grown dynamically. For example, in 2009, 45 meat and 24 milk processing plants, and, in 2008, 822
meat and 277 milk processing plants, respectively, were certified. Continued on page 6
Food Export Awards & Forum Poland 2012 Ne t work ing E ve n t o f t h e Ye ar Award sectors include: n n n n n n n
Spring 2012
Compliance with EU standards
Major markets for Polish food exporters
Meat (beef, pork, poultry, etc) Fish and Seafood Sweets Fruits and Vegetables Dairy Drinks (alcohol and non-alcoholic) Services
Polish Food Export Directory
range of unconnected buyers. The latter have recognized that the lower cost base of Poland is a competitive advantage when measured against higher-priced western European producers. And in some cases, they have been set up for a very specific purpose, like being an exclusive supplier of potatoes to McDonalds. And while the productivity of Poland’s food sector lags behind western Europe, better equipment and techniques as well as consolidation are improving the productivity numbers. In the dairy sector, for example, the statistical supplier of milk to dairies rears 10 cows and in 2010 supplied almost 53,000 kg of milk. In 2004, it was just half as much. And while the milk performance per cow is far behind western Europe, it is now 4900 kg versus 4270 kg in 2004.
For more information about the nomination process/jury members/attendance and sponsorship, please contact: Thom Barnhardt, tb@biznespolska.pl, +48-508-143-963
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