agriculture and food economy in poland

FOREIGN TRADE IN AGRI-FOOD PRODUCTS
For years Poland’s trade balance has been positive with the whole group and
particular states.
2003 saw a significant growth (36.2%) in exports to the CEFTA member states
and a twice as low increase in imports. Among CEFTA countries, the Czech
Republic is Poland’s major trading partner with a 40% share of trade with this group
of countries, then Hungary – 26%, Slovakia – 15% and Romania – 12%.
With regard to trade with EFTA states, a negative balance of trade in agri-food
products was noted despite a 56% increase in exports and as low as 14.7% increase
in imports. Poland’s exports went mainly to Norway (a 44% share in exports to that
group of countries) and Switzerland (52%). As for imports, it was primarily fish
from Norway (a 76% share in imports) and Iceland (13%).
As regards trade in agri-food products with the United States, it remained at a
low level as the US share was barely 3.8% and 2.3% in Poland exports and imports
respectively. Poland exported relatively large quantities of processed meat and
alcohol and imported fish and various processed food articles.
Among the countries that are not part of any of the groups mentioned above,
major recipients of Polish agri-food products in 2003 were Algeria, Bosnia
Herzegovina, Brazil and Saudi Arabia. In terms of value, exports to these countries
accounted for 32% of the total exports to all other countries. Other countries are
also significant suppliers of agri-food products to the Polish market, the leaders
being China, Argentina and the Ivory Coast. In 2003 the share of these countries in
trade with this group of states was 26% in total.
Commodity pattern of agri-food trade
In 2003 the commodity pattern of agri-food trade did not change significantly. As
compared to 2002 an increase was observed in both exports and imports of all
commodity groups, excluding imports of live animals.
As for exports, the biggest rise was noted for processed products of animal origin
and the smallest for livestock. As regards imports, an over 10% increase was
observed for raw materials of plant origin, processed plants and animals and fish and
fish products.
Figure 25. Commodity pattern of agri-food trade
6,6
7,1
23,1
Export Import
15,7 11,2
17
3,8
23,6
Plant raw materials
Livestock
Processed products pf plant origin
Source: IERiG˚ based on CIHZ
32,5
52
17,5
9,2
Processed products of animal origin
Fish and fish products
Stimulants and beverages
4,5
Other
27,1
1,1