Minister, in what way are Polish products promoted by MA&RD on the international arena?

- Promotion is not the main task of the Ministry, but creating adequate conditions for exporting our agricultural and food products. The burden of veterinary and phytosanitary agreements lies on the ministry and services subordinate to it, so that products and goods can be sent to other countries. How these possibilities are used depends most on exporters themselves. Of course, as far as the department’s possibilities go, any initiatives in the scope of presenting Polish products are supported. Certainly, funds will be helpful in these measures, which will be developed thanks to the act of promotion funds. Developing this legal act, after many months of discussions and negotiations, is also one of the forms of the department working for promotion.
Another activity is the programme “Discover Good Food” conducted by the department, which task is to inform consumers of high quality food products. Other possibility of promotional activities is participating in trade fairs and exhibitions in the country and abroad.

How important are trade fairs, both those abroad and those in Poland, for the promotion of Polish products?

- Contemporary trade fairs are no longer the main place of signing contracts. It is more a place for getting to know the latest trends and technologies. Trade fairs and exhibitions are also places, in which consumers can try particular products directly during numerous presentations and tasting. Therefore, the ministry’s stands can be found each year at the largest trade fairs of the agricultural and food line of business, among others: in Germany, Russia, Great Britain, Japan, South Korea and China. In all those places, information on the programme and products, which have received the symbol “Discover Good Food”, is presented. Participation in these ventures is significant, as thanks to them, consumers can get to know products of the highest quality.

Is the Polish product a good product? Are our native products seen as a “good label”?

- Before our accession to the European Union there were concerns that our stores will be flooded with products from other countries. Nothing like that happened. On the contrary, it is our goods that have appeared in the Community’s stores on a wider scope. We have to remember, that in the pre-accession period and right after it, plants from the meat and dairy lines of business were modernised the most. Today, they are one of the world leaders. Such modernisation in the countries of the “older” European Union took place in the seventies. Our products have gained the acknowledgment of consumers thanks to quality guarantee, unique taste and superb raw materials. The best confirmation of this is the fact that Polish trade of agricultural and food products constantly, from the day of our accession, receive an active balance. Last year, this balance amounted to 1.5 billion Euros. Would it be the case, if our native products were not perceived as a “good label”?

Please tell us about the programme “Discover Great Food”.

- I have already mentioned the programme. It is worth noting, that it is a voluntary programme, that it is a tool for the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for the promotion of high quality food. This programme is also part of the European Union policy for increasing quality and variety of food within the area of the Consolidated Market, and the products having the DGF symbol are a guarantee of the highest quality also with reference to raw materials. Aside from this, all products are distinguished by unique taste and originate on the basis of tried recipes.

Does the programme “Discover Great Food” enjoy popularity among manufacturers?

- Thanks to adequate advertising campaigns, consumers recognise products marked by the programme’s symbol better and better. This also influences the growing interest from manufacturers to apply in the programme. Currently, over 1 100 products from 80 companies are distinguished by the symbol.

Which of the Polish products have entered into export permanently, and which are just beginning to fight for a position on the foreign market?

- Generally, Polish food is perceived as high quality food and processed in a traditional manner. Consumers, and there are over half a billion of them in the European Union alone, especially value Polish meats, dairy products, as well as sweets and alcohol. Fruits and deep-frozen vegetables also join this group.

How has the quality of Polish products changed since our accession to the European Union?

- I have already mentioned modern processing plants. Modern technological lines provide a guarantee of high quality in which the processing of raw materials takes place. Raw materials are also controlled and originated from tested suppliers. Please note at least the changes, which took place in holdings specialising in the production of milk. Here, changes took place the fastest and on a very large scale. If to this we add the application of tested recipes, unique taste and smell, as well as modern packaging, then we have a full picture of how much our products of the agricultural and food industry have changed over the last years.

How would you assess the quality of Polish products in comparison to the foreign ones?

- We operate within a consolidated market. The same laws bind us in the scope of conducting agricultural holdings or food processing. The common Agricultural Policy imposed the same obligations and requirements on all. That is why, within the Community, all must meet the same quality standards. Differences result from traditions of processing, secrets of old recipes and culinary habits.

Thank you for interview.

Maja Święcka