Poland has been exporting more food products in recent years. In 2023, Polish agricultural exports increased by over ten percent compared to the previous year. The Polish government actively supports this growth through promotional campaigns and trade missions in, among others, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The focus is especially on promoting meat, dairy, and fruit.
Cooperation with neighboring Ukraine is not without tensions. Last year, Polish farmers protested against the import and transit of (cheaper) products that they claimed would undermine their market position. Nonetheless, both governments emphasize that mutual understanding and coordination are necessary to avoid conflicts and to gain economic benefits.
Both countries see agricultural export as a strategic sector. Through cooperation, Poland and Ukraine hope to increase their economic resilience, especially amid current geopolitical uncertainty. For Ukraine, export is also crucial for the country’s reconstruction and for preserving rural employment.
Ukraine seeks greater access to the EU market for its own agricultural products. Poland is currently the EU president. An EU decision is expected in early June regarding the exemption that Ukraine received three years ago for import duties and the expansion of export quotas.
At the same time, Ukraine wants to diversify its exports further. According to the Ukrainian Minister of Agriculture, the goal is to send a maximum of 20 percent of agricultural exports to the EU. The country is looking for new markets in Asia and Africa, partly due to the unpredictability of European regulations and protests from farmers in Eastern European neighboring countries.
Negotiations between Poland and Ukraine also focus on improving infrastructure. Discussions include better border posts, additional checkpoints, and logistical routes. This should not only facilitate exports but also ensure fair competition between Polish and Ukrainian farmers.