The success of products made in Poland is no longer determined by competitive pricing alone. Increasingly important factors include consistently high quality, food safety, supplier reliability, sufficient production capacity and the ability to adapt products quickly to the expectations of individual markets. Today, Polish producers must not only comply with formal and quality requirements, but also respond to changing consumer preferences concerning product composition, the origin of raw materials, packaging solutions and the environmental impact of production.
Recognition of Polish food should be built through a consistent, long-term presence in international markets. Participation in major trade fairs such as SIAL Paris is extremely important, but individual promotional activities cannot replace lasting business relationships, reliable supplies and the continued presence of products on retail shelves. The key challenge is to move beyond promoting individual product categories and build a coherent image of Poland as a country that offers modern, safe and high-quality food while also investing in consumer education.
One example of a large-scale nationwide initiative combining the promotion of Polish food with consumer education is the campaign “Good Taste Begins in Poland. I Don’t Waste Food. I Choose Responsibly” (Dobry smak zaczyna się w Polsce. Nie marnuję. Wybieram odpowiedzialnie) for which POHiD serves as Strategic Partner. The initiative demonstrates that choosing local and regional products supports Polish farmers and food producers and, by shortening supply chains, can also help reduce food loss and waste. The campaign is addressed to teachers, pupils and their parents, meaning both current and future consumers.
Retail chains naturally play an important role in promoting Polish food. Cooperation with modern retail allows Polish producers to gain experience, expand the scale of their operations and adapt their processes to international standards. Retailers provide access to consumer insights, advanced logistics systems and sales channels spanning multiple countries. For some suppliers, establishing a presence in Polish stores is the first stage of international expansion and may subsequently open the door to selling their products through the foreign outlets of the same retail group.
The competitiveness of Polish businesses also depends on the regulatory environment. Producers and retailers are currently operating under pressure from rising labour, energy, transport and packaging costs, as well as a growing number of environmental and reporting obligations. The transition towards a more sustainable economy is necessary, but it should be implemented in a predictable and proportionate manner that takes account of companies’ investment capacity. Excessive burdens may reduce the resources available for development, innovation and international expansion.
Polish food possesses all the strengths required to continue expanding its presence worldwide. However, this position should not be built solely on price competition. The greatest opportunity lies in combining excellent products, modern production methods, efficient distribution and a strong, consistent “made in Poland” brand. Quality, reliability and the ability to respond to the needs of international customers should become the main sources of competitive advantage for Polish producers.
Renata Juszkiewicz
President of the
Management Board
POHiD
Recognition of Polish food should be built through a consistent, long-term presence in international markets. Participation in major trade fairs such as SIAL Paris is extremely important, but individual promotional activities cannot replace lasting business relationships, reliable supplies and the continued presence of products on retail shelves. The key challenge is to move beyond promoting individual product categories and build a coherent image of Poland as a country that offers modern, safe and high-quality food while also investing in consumer education.
One example of a large-scale nationwide initiative combining the promotion of Polish food with consumer education is the campaign “Good Taste Begins in Poland. I Don’t Waste Food. I Choose Responsibly” (Dobry smak zaczyna się w Polsce. Nie marnuję. Wybieram odpowiedzialnie) for which POHiD serves as Strategic Partner. The initiative demonstrates that choosing local and regional products supports Polish farmers and food producers and, by shortening supply chains, can also help reduce food loss and waste. The campaign is addressed to teachers, pupils and their parents, meaning both current and future consumers.
Retail chains naturally play an important role in promoting Polish food. Cooperation with modern retail allows Polish producers to gain experience, expand the scale of their operations and adapt their processes to international standards. Retailers provide access to consumer insights, advanced logistics systems and sales channels spanning multiple countries. For some suppliers, establishing a presence in Polish stores is the first stage of international expansion and may subsequently open the door to selling their products through the foreign outlets of the same retail group.
The competitiveness of Polish businesses also depends on the regulatory environment. Producers and retailers are currently operating under pressure from rising labour, energy, transport and packaging costs, as well as a growing number of environmental and reporting obligations. The transition towards a more sustainable economy is necessary, but it should be implemented in a predictable and proportionate manner that takes account of companies’ investment capacity. Excessive burdens may reduce the resources available for development, innovation and international expansion.
Polish food possesses all the strengths required to continue expanding its presence worldwide. However, this position should not be built solely on price competition. The greatest opportunity lies in combining excellent products, modern production methods, efficient distribution and a strong, consistent “made in Poland” brand. Quality, reliability and the ability to respond to the needs of international customers should become the main sources of competitive advantage for Polish producers.
Renata Juszkiewicz
President of the
Management Board
POHiD
