Poland is the second exporter of beef in the European Union after Ireland and the third EU exporter to countries outside the European Union. In 2023, beef exports brought Poland revenues of EUR 2.2 billion, as emphasized by the Polish Association of Beef Cattle Producers as part of the LoweKrowe campaign.
Beef exports account for almost 5%. export value of the agri-food sector
Over 80 percent exports went to the European Union market, and its largest recipients were Italy, Germany and the Netherlands. The subject of trade with foreign countries is live animals, as well as fresh, chilled and frozen beef and processed products.
“Beef exports are a key element of the Polish agri-food economy, accounting for almost 5 percent. the export value of this sector," says PZPBM.
According to preliminary data from the European Commission, throughout 2023, beef production in the EU decreased by 3%, to 6.5 million tonnes.
– Data from the National Support Center for Agriculture show that in the European Union since 2017, due to, among others, high costs of cattle production and falling beef consumption, there has been a tendency to reduce the herd. In June 2023, a decline in cattle numbers was recorded in all leading beef producers. This is undoubtedly an opportunity for Polish breeders and it is only up to us whether we will use it – says Jerzy Wierzbicki, president of the Polish Association of Beef Cattle Producers.
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The Polish beef sector has potential for development
Beef exports. High-level mission in Kazakhstan
Polish breeders are aware that they also need to look for markets outside the European Union. Hence their presence in Kazakhstan on May 27–31, 2024, on the high-level mission of Janusz Wojciechowski, European Union Commissioner for Agriculture.
As PZPBM emphasizes, this mission was aimed at strengthening the presence of EU agri-food products in Kazakhstan and exploring new business opportunities in the Central Asia region. Commissioner J. Wojciechowski was accompanied by a delegation of 40 representatives of the EU agri-food sector. The mission included participation in the InterFood Astana fair, which was a platform to present their products and establish contacts.
– Kazakhstan is currently perceived as a key partner of the EU, especially in the light of geopolitical changes following Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Also from our point of view, it is a very attractive partner, whom we have been encouraging for a long time to establish trade relations and admit Polish beef to this market of 20 million people – said Jacek Zarzecki, a participant of the mission to Kazakhstan, president of the Polish Association of Beef Cattle Breeders and Producers.
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The goal is to diversify sales markets
In recent years, we have successfully opened markets in Turkey, Vietnam, Algeria, and recently also in China, as indicated by the Association.
“Thanks to this, Polish beef producers gained new export opportunities, which is a significant step towards the diversification of sales markets for Polish meat. Breeders actively support Polish veterinary services in their efforts to agree on the templates of veterinary certificates," notes PZPBM.
The visits of Turkish and Vietnamese veterinary services were financed by the Beef Promotion Fund, which the sector uses to promote beef and which consists of all beef cattle breeders. PZPBM also indicates that 1% higher the price per kg of live beef paid to the breeder is 1000%. return on his investment in the Beef Promotion Fund.
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