Developed at the Bureau of Analyses and Strategies of the National Support Centre for Agriculture.
2022, in spite of difficult conditions on the international market, saw a further growth in the value of Polish food exports. In 2022, the value of foreign sales of agri-food products reached a record-breaking level of EUR 47.6 billion (PLN 223 billion), 26.7% higher than the year before.
Simultaneously, the agri-food imports had a value of EUR 32.1 billion (PLN 150 billion) and were 28.6% higher than the year before. The positive balance of trade developed to the level of EUR 15.5 billion (PLN 73 billion), higher by 23% than in 2021.
The revenues from foreign sales by domestic exporters were impacted by growing transaction prices of agri-food products on the international market, recorded upon the outbreak of the armed conflict in Ukraine. At the same time, trends of depreciation of the zloty in relation to the EU currency were a factor favourable to the price competitiveness of Polish agri-food products, since more than 80% of the receipts from food exports to the EU were generated by sales to the Eurozone countries.
The process of revival of the HoReCa sector’s activity in the EU after the pandemic, which took place in the first half of 2022, as well as growing food prices in EU countries, generated increased demand for Polish foods competitive in terms of prices and quality. Simultaneously, the good results achieved in exports were a consequence of the activity of domestic entrepreneurs towards diversification of business relations on markets of the EU and third countries, due to the ability to adapt the assortment offer to diverse preferences of foreign consumers.
The geographic structure of agri-food exports from Poland
As in the previous years, agri-food products were predominantly exported from Poland to the market of the European Union. In 2022, supplies to EU-27 countries generated EUR 35.3 billion (an increase by 29%), comprising more than 74% of revenues from total agri-food exports.
The main products sold to EU countries included: poultry meat (EUR 3.3 billion), cigarettes (EUR 2.9 billion), dairy products (EUR 2.6 billion), beef (EUR 1.8 billion), bread and bakery products (EUR 1.8 billion), animal feed (EUR 1.6 billion), as well as chocolate products (EUR 1.5 billion).
Polish agri-food exports to the EU market are characterized by significant geographic concentration.
Germany remained the main trade partner of Poland. Exports to this country in 2022 amounted to EUR 11.9 billion and were 25% higher than the year before. The main products exported to Germany included cigarettes, poultry meat, fish preparations, animal feed, bread and bakery products, maize grain, as well as chocolate and chocolate products.
Other important recipients of Polish agri-food products included the Netherlands, France, Italy and the Czech Republic. Total exports to the markets of the five countries mentioned above (Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and the Czech Republic) generated EUR 22.4 billion, comprising more than 63% of the value of exports to the EU-27 countries.
Non-EU countries in 2022 were reached by Polish agri-food products worth EUR 12.3 billion, higher by 20% than in 2021. The main products exported from Poland to non-EU countries included: dairy products (EUR 1.0 billion), poultry meat (EUR 990 million), wheat (EUR 776 million), chocolate and chocolate products (EUR 733 million), bread and bakery products (EUR 731 million), as well as cigarettes (EUR 612 million). The most significant non-EU recipients of Polish agri-food products, as in the previous years, included:
- United Kingdom (revenue of EUR 3.7 billion, a 25% increase in value, the exported goods were predominantly poultry meat, meat preparations, chocolate and chocolate products, as well as bread and bakery products);
- Ukraine (EUR 945 million, an increase by 16%; the exported goods were predominantly cheese and curd, animal feed, coffee, chocolate and chocolate products, water, bread and bakery products, as well as pork);
- United States (EUR 770 million, an increase by 26%; the goods exported to the USA were predominantly chocolate and chocolate products, fish and fish preparations, pork, and meat preparations);
- Saudi Arabia (EUR 521 million, an increase by 2%; the exported goods were predominantly cigarettes, bread and bakery products, wheat, as well as cheese and curd);
- Israel (EUR 439 million, an increase by 50%; the exported goods were predominantly beef, wheat and sugar);
- Norway (EUR 296 million, an increase by 10%; the exported goods were predominantly cigarettes, maize grain, animal feed, and fruit preparations);
- Algeria (EUR 242 million, a drop by 42%; the exported goods were predominantly condensed and powdered milk – 66% of the exports value, as well as tobacco – 26%).
The commodity structure of agri-food exports from Poland
The commodity structure of agri-food exports from Poland was dominated by meat and meat preparations. In 2022, the revenues from foreign sales within this commodity group were higher by 37% than the year before, amounting to EUR 9.6 billion which comprised 20% of the total value of Polish agri-food exports. The largest share in the exports of meat and meat preparations was comprised by: poultry meat (44% – EUR 4.3 billion), meat preparations (23% – EUR 2.2 billion), beef (22% – EUR 2.1 billion), and pork (8% – EUR 812 million). Export of live animals and other meats was relatively low, comprising a 2% and 1% share, respectively in the revenue from exports of meat products from Poland.
Commodity structure of agri-food exports from Poland
The commodity structure of agri-food exports from Poland was dominated by meat and meat preparations. In 2022, the revenues from foreign sales within this commodity group were higher by 37% than the year before, amounting to EUR 9.6 billion which comprised 20% of the total value of Polish agri-food exports.
The second most valuable position, with a 14% share in the agri-food exports from Poland, was occupied by cereal grains and their preparations, with their total value growing by 40%, to EUR 6.6 billion, in comparison with 2021.
The increased value of exports was recorded in virtually all commodity groups of agri-food products, i.e. tobacco and tobacco products (by 4%, to EUR 4.3 billion), dairy products (by 37%, to EUR 3.6 billion), sugar and confectionery products (by 14%, to EUR 3.2 billion), fish and their preparations (by 14%, to EUR 2.8 billion), as well as vegetables and their preparations (by 21%, to EUR 2.3 billion) and fruit with their preparations (by 6%, to EUR 1.8 billion). Furthermore, there was an increase in the export value of such goods as oilseeds and vegetable fats – by 80% (EUR 1.6 billion), coffee, tea and cocoa – by 28% (EUR 1.1 billion), fruit and vegetable juices – by 27% (EUR 0.9 billion), and alcohol – by 20% (EUR 0.8 billion).
2022, in spite of difficult conditions on the international market, saw a further growth in the value of Polish food exports. In 2022, the value of foreign sales of agri-food products reached a record-breaking level of EUR 47.6 billion (PLN 223 billion), 26.7% higher than the year before.
Simultaneously, the agri-food imports had a value of EUR 32.1 billion (PLN 150 billion) and were 28.6% higher than the year before. The positive balance of trade developed to the level of EUR 15.5 billion (PLN 73 billion), higher by 23% than in 2021.
The revenues from foreign sales by domestic exporters were impacted by growing transaction prices of agri-food products on the international market, recorded upon the outbreak of the armed conflict in Ukraine. At the same time, trends of depreciation of the zloty in relation to the EU currency were a factor favourable to the price competitiveness of Polish agri-food products, since more than 80% of the receipts from food exports to the EU were generated by sales to the Eurozone countries.
The process of revival of the HoReCa sector’s activity in the EU after the pandemic, which took place in the first half of 2022, as well as growing food prices in EU countries, generated increased demand for Polish foods competitive in terms of prices and quality. Simultaneously, the good results achieved in exports were a consequence of the activity of domestic entrepreneurs towards diversification of business relations on markets of the EU and third countries, due to the ability to adapt the assortment offer to diverse preferences of foreign consumers.
The geographic structure of agri-food exports from Poland
As in the previous years, agri-food products were predominantly exported from Poland to the market of the European Union. In 2022, supplies to EU-27 countries generated EUR 35.3 billion (an increase by 29%), comprising more than 74% of revenues from total agri-food exports.
The main products sold to EU countries included: poultry meat (EUR 3.3 billion), cigarettes (EUR 2.9 billion), dairy products (EUR 2.6 billion), beef (EUR 1.8 billion), bread and bakery products (EUR 1.8 billion), animal feed (EUR 1.6 billion), as well as chocolate products (EUR 1.5 billion).
Polish agri-food exports to the EU market are characterized by significant geographic concentration.
Germany remained the main trade partner of Poland. Exports to this country in 2022 amounted to EUR 11.9 billion and were 25% higher than the year before. The main products exported to Germany included cigarettes, poultry meat, fish preparations, animal feed, bread and bakery products, maize grain, as well as chocolate and chocolate products.
Other important recipients of Polish agri-food products included the Netherlands, France, Italy and the Czech Republic. Total exports to the markets of the five countries mentioned above (Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and the Czech Republic) generated EUR 22.4 billion, comprising more than 63% of the value of exports to the EU-27 countries.
Non-EU countries in 2022 were reached by Polish agri-food products worth EUR 12.3 billion, higher by 20% than in 2021. The main products exported from Poland to non-EU countries included: dairy products (EUR 1.0 billion), poultry meat (EUR 990 million), wheat (EUR 776 million), chocolate and chocolate products (EUR 733 million), bread and bakery products (EUR 731 million), as well as cigarettes (EUR 612 million). The most significant non-EU recipients of Polish agri-food products, as in the previous years, included:
- United Kingdom (revenue of EUR 3.7 billion, a 25% increase in value, the exported goods were predominantly poultry meat, meat preparations, chocolate and chocolate products, as well as bread and bakery products);
- Ukraine (EUR 945 million, an increase by 16%; the exported goods were predominantly cheese and curd, animal feed, coffee, chocolate and chocolate products, water, bread and bakery products, as well as pork);
- United States (EUR 770 million, an increase by 26%; the goods exported to the USA were predominantly chocolate and chocolate products, fish and fish preparations, pork, and meat preparations);
- Saudi Arabia (EUR 521 million, an increase by 2%; the exported goods were predominantly cigarettes, bread and bakery products, wheat, as well as cheese and curd);
- Israel (EUR 439 million, an increase by 50%; the exported goods were predominantly beef, wheat and sugar);
- Norway (EUR 296 million, an increase by 10%; the exported goods were predominantly cigarettes, maize grain, animal feed, and fruit preparations);
- Algeria (EUR 242 million, a drop by 42%; the exported goods were predominantly condensed and powdered milk – 66% of the exports value, as well as tobacco – 26%).
The commodity structure of agri-food exports from Poland
The commodity structure of agri-food exports from Poland was dominated by meat and meat preparations. In 2022, the revenues from foreign sales within this commodity group were higher by 37% than the year before, amounting to EUR 9.6 billion which comprised 20% of the total value of Polish agri-food exports. The largest share in the exports of meat and meat preparations was comprised by: poultry meat (44% – EUR 4.3 billion), meat preparations (23% – EUR 2.2 billion), beef (22% – EUR 2.1 billion), and pork (8% – EUR 812 million). Export of live animals and other meats was relatively low, comprising a 2% and 1% share, respectively in the revenue from exports of meat products from Poland.
Commodity structure of agri-food exports from Poland
The commodity structure of agri-food exports from Poland was dominated by meat and meat preparations. In 2022, the revenues from foreign sales within this commodity group were higher by 37% than the year before, amounting to EUR 9.6 billion which comprised 20% of the total value of Polish agri-food exports.
The second most valuable position, with a 14% share in the agri-food exports from Poland, was occupied by cereal grains and their preparations, with their total value growing by 40%, to EUR 6.6 billion, in comparison with 2021.
The increased value of exports was recorded in virtually all commodity groups of agri-food products, i.e. tobacco and tobacco products (by 4%, to EUR 4.3 billion), dairy products (by 37%, to EUR 3.6 billion), sugar and confectionery products (by 14%, to EUR 3.2 billion), fish and their preparations (by 14%, to EUR 2.8 billion), as well as vegetables and their preparations (by 21%, to EUR 2.3 billion) and fruit with their preparations (by 6%, to EUR 1.8 billion). Furthermore, there was an increase in the export value of such goods as oilseeds and vegetable fats – by 80% (EUR 1.6 billion), coffee, tea and cocoa – by 28% (EUR 1.1 billion), fruit and vegetable juices – by 27% (EUR 0.9 billion), and alcohol – by 20% (EUR 0.8 billion).
