Sub-sector best prospects: Include the sub-sectors in which U.S. companies would have the best opportunity of exporting.
Last Published: 6/13/2019

Overview 
Total 2018 U.S. agricultural and related product exports to Poland were valued at $458 million, an 8.5 percent increase over 2017.  The U.S. Embassy’s Office of Agricultural Affairs provides routine market intelligence to U.S. food and agricultural exporters, and regularly creates linkages between Polish food, bulk commodity, beverage, and ingredient importers and U.S. exporters. 
 
Best prospects for U.S. agricultural products include seafood (pollock, salmon), livestock feed ingredients, such as soybean meal and feed preparations, and consumer-oriented products, including wine, tree nuts (almonds), dried fruit (cranberries and prunes), distilled spirits, and hardwood lumber. 
 
Leading Sub-Sectors 
Data Source: Global Agricultural Trade System (GATS). The version of GATS –Polish 
Customs Databases used tracks reported intra-EU transshipments of the U.S. products. 
 
Seafood 
Poland remains one of the largest fish processors in the European Union and imports almost 95 percent of the seafood it processes.  Poland ranks among the biggest salmon importers in the world and sources products mostly from Norway, Sweden, and the United States.  2018 data showed strong interest in U.S. pollock, with imports of U.S. pollock up by 26 percent over 2017.  Post forecasts that imports of pollock and other seafood (salmon) from the United States will continue to grow in 2019, pending market prices and competition from Norway, Russia and China.  Although domestic seafood consumption in Poland continues to increase, most seafood processed in Poland is bound for markets in other EU Member States. 
 
Commodity Group:  Pollock 
Harmonized Schedule Code(s): HS030475, HS030494, HS030367 
Value in US$1,000 

 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019(f) 

Total Imports 

93,459 

92,667 

110,085 

120,000 

Total Imports from U.S. 

34,949 

27,759 

  34,949 

  38,000 

 
Soybean Meal 
In 2018, Poland imported 2.47 million metric tons (MMT) of soybean meal, a three-percent increase over 2017, valued at over $1.0 billion.  85 percent of imported soybean meal in 2018 was sourced from South America.  Soybean meal is a significant source of protein and is an important input in Poland’s large poultry production sector.  Post forecasts that soybean meal imports will increase by an additional three percent (volume terms) in 2019, as poultry production continues to expand.  Polish imported 86,825 metric tons (MT) of U.S. soybean meal in 2018, a 211 percent increase over 2017.  Although 2019 soybean meal shipments from the United States should increase along with Poland’s expanding poultry production capacity, price competition from Argentina and Brazil will continue to be a decisive factor. 
 
  Commodity Group: Soybean meal 
Harmonized Schedule Code(s): HS 230400 
Value in US$1,000 

 

2016 

  2017  

2018 

2019(f) 

Total Imports 

854,656 

896,101 

1,023,518 

1,100,000 

Total Imports from U.S. 

  11,122 

  10,809 

     37,544 

     38,000 

 
Wine 
Poland is a leading importer of wine in Central Europe, with Italy, France, and Spain accounting for about 60 percent of Polish market share.  The U.S. wines, along with other “new-world” wines, are gaining in popularity and becoming increasingly visible.  While California wines are better known in Poland, wines from the Pacific Northwest are also increasingly recognized.  Although more and more Polish consumers are aware of U.S. wines, educating consumers about the unique attributes of U.S. wines remains necessary.   
 
Commodity Group: Wine 
Harmonized Schedule Code(s): HS2204 
Value in US$1,000 

 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019(f) 

Total Imports 

251,888 

300,144 

334,818 

335,000 

Total Imports from U.S. 

39,760 

42,321 

44,078 

45,500 

 
Tree Nuts (Almonds) 
Most U.S.-origin tree nuts imports are almonds, which are increasingly popular as an ingredient in food processing, particularly for confectionary, bakery, and snack food sectors.  Almonds are also popular among consumers for snacking and home baking.  Spain is the leading competitor for U.S. almonds in Poland. 
 
Commodity Group: Tree Nuts 
Harmonized Schedule Code(s): HS 080212 
Value in US$1,000 

 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 (f) 

Total Imports 

39,860 

43,655 

43,763 

44,100 

Total Imports from U.S. 

14,180 

16,892 

17,610 

18,100 

 
Processed Fruit 
The dried fruits market is experiencing dramatic growth, led by dried cranberries, prunes, and dried cherries, which have experience steady popularity as snack foods. As Polish consumers become more health conscious, these products are increasingly used in home baking and the confectionary and snack sectors. These sectors are also reflect growing demand for raisins.  
 
Commodity Group: Processed Fruit 
Harmonized Schedule Code(s): HS 2008 
  Value in US$1,000 
 

 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 (f) 

Total Imports 

215,229 

232,585 

234,608 

235,000 

Total Imports from U.S. 

14,099 

19,166 

20,808 

21,000 

 
Bovine Semen 
There is strong interest in U.S. dairy genetics in Poland due to the unprecedented growth in Poland’s diary industry. In 2018, Polish bovine semen imports were valued at $6.0 million and consisted of about 1.3 million doses of semen.  The value of imported U.S. bovine semen in 2018 was about $3.0 million, a 65-percent increase over the previous year.  Higher dairy prices and consistent consumer demand for dairy products on the world market are driving demand for U.S. bovine genetics among Poland’s dairy producers.  
 
Commodity Group: Animal Genetics 
Harmonized Schedule Code(s): HS 051110 
Value in US$1,000 

 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019(f) 

Total Imports 

4,818 

5,080 

6,049 

6,300 

Total Imports from U.S.* 

1,672 

1,852 

3,050 

3,400 

 *Please note that imports from the U.S. include bovine semen imported to Poland via U.K. 
 
Hardwood Lumber 
U.S.-origin wood-sawn and/or chipped lumber products accounted for 74 percent of the total U.S. wood and wood products exported to Poland in 2018.  Market trends for U.S. lumber and wood products in Poland are in flux due to strong international competition and local price sensitivities. 
 
Commodity Group: Wood Sawn or Chipped Lengthwise 
Harmonized Schedule Code(s): HS 4407 
Value in $1,000 

 

2016  

 2017 

2018  

2019(f) 

Total Imports 

312,564 

346,565 

390,461 

420,000 

Total Imports from U.S. 

2,984 

3,309 

2,169 

2,300 

 
Commodity Group: Packings and Wood Pellets 
Harmonized Schedule Code(s): HS 4415 
Value in $1,000 

 

2016  

 2017 

2018  

2019(f) 

Total Imports 

312,564 

346,565 

390,461 

420,000 

Total Imports from U.S. 

654 

754 

362 

450 

 
Commodity Group:   Wood Continuously Shaped 
Harmonized Schedule Code(s): HS 4409 
Value in $1,000 

 

2016  

2017 

2018  

2019(f) 

Total Imports 

52,757 

47,965 

53,133 

55,000 

Total Imports from U.S. 

68 

25 

160 

170 

 
Beans and Other Pulses 
Imports of leguminous vegetables from United States remain smaller than from China, and South America, however this segment show growth potential.  Polish importers and food processors are increasingly aware that U.S. beans and pulses are higher quality than similar products from competing markets, and depending on market price fluctuations, U.S. pulses can also be price competitive.   
 
Commodity Group: Leguminous Vegetables, including dried beans 
Harmonized Schedule Code(s): HS 0713 
Value in $1,000 

 

2016  

2017 

2018  

2019(f) 

Total Imports 

19,065 

21,355 

25,643 

26,000 

Total Imports from U.S. 

418 

1,563 

2,765 

2,850 


Web Resources 
 
Agricultural Reports 
Attaché reports provide information on market opportunities, crop conditions, new policy developments and information on the local food industry. Some standard reports include the Retail Market Report, Exporter Guide, Food Service Report, and market briefs on select products.  Post also recommends that interested stakeholders review the EU-28 reports. 
 
Trade Data 
Please refer to the USDA’s Global Agricultural Trade System (GATS). GATS include international agricultural, fish, forest and textile products trade statistics dating from the inception of the Harmonized coding system in 1989 to present.  


 
 

 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.