Interview with Marek Sawicki
On the promotion of Polish products on Eastern markets, trade fairs and on the quality of Polish food; we are speaking with Marek Sawicki, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
How has the export of Polish products to Eastern markets changed over the last few years?
- When I was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in November 2007, one of the goals I set myself was to normalise the commercial relations with the countries east of Poland, especially with out largest partner in this region – the Russian Federation. In December 2007, we signed Russian-Polish phytosanitary and veterinary memoranda. Russia also signed them with the European Union, which meant that all legal obstacles were removed. We had a long conversation with the Russian Federation Minister of Agriculture, Mrs Elena Skrynnik, during the International Wheat Conference held in Saint Petersburg in 2009. We are making every effort to carry on the existing level of dialogue. We want to keep our cooperation in the field of vegetable and meat production, as well as on the fish and fodder markets. We need to strengthen our collaboration to convince our executive and administrative services that the approved declarations simply need to be implemented. I talked about that with the Russian Minister of Agriculture, Mrs Elena Skrynnik, during a presentation of our products at the Polish embassy in Moscow in November 2009. The Head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Sergei Dankwert, the Polish Ambassador in Moscow, Jerzy Bahr, and representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, General Veterinary Inspectorate and the Main Inspectorate of Plant Health and Seed Inspection took part in that meeting as well. We mainly discussed the matters connected with the Polish-Russian cooperation in agriculture. The presented changes have already brought about positive effects. During the first half of 2009, we recorded an increase in the value of exports to the Russian Federation by 1/3. Still, it is almost four times less that the value of exports to Germany, our largest commercial partner. I am convinced that the present level of trade exchange, although increased significantly after many years of stagnation, does not correspond to our mutual capacities.
What does the exportation to the East look like nowadays?
- The value of exports to the countries belonging to the Commonwealth of Independent States, in the first seven months of 2009, totalled more than EUR 616.2 million, which meant an increase by 5.0% in relation to the corresponding period of 2008. The sale to the Commonwealth of Independent States constituted 9.7% of the total exports value and, in relation to the period January-July 2008, increased by 0.7 percent. As compared to the seven months of 2008, the value of exports to the Russian Federation rose by 33.3% and amounted to EUR 339.4 million. Such a situation was mainly a consequence of increased, as compared to the previous year, exportation of fresh apples and pigs. Moreover, fresh and processed vegetables, chocolate and confectionery products had significant importance to the value and volume of exports to the Russian Federation.
How does the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development promote Polish products on Eastern markets? How important is the participation of Polish producers in international trade fairs?
- We participate not only in trade fairs, but also organise our own events where food products can be promoted. Such a situation took place during the previously mentioned promotional event held in the Polish embassy in Moscow on 11 November 2009, i.e. the Polish Independence Day. However, taking part in trade fairs and exhibitions is also connected with certain costs. In mid-year, the Polish parliament passed an act on promotion funds. It will allow us to significantly improve promotional activities connected with Polish products of the agricultural and food industry. I am convinced that we will also be present at trade fairs and exhibitions organised on the territory of the Russian Federation and in other countries. Poland has a lot of potential in terms of agricultural production. We sell our surpluses. Most of our production is consumed domestically. Despite the highest trade turnover with the European Union member states, we are constantly looking for new markets. I went on a series of foreign business trips to countries outside Europe. We are negotiating the conditions to enter such interesting and demanding markets as Japan, Korea, Singapore or recently Vietnam. I believe that normalising trade exchange with the Russian Federation, although still not sufficient, will result in a wider offer of Polish food products available for Russian consumers. The normalisation of relations, promotion funds, unique qualitative and taste values of Polish products as well as similar culinary habits are undoubtedly the factors that will enable us to intensify trade exchange even more. It is important to allow consumers to make conscious choices and to have the opportunity of getting to know different products and goods. Polish food products are known on Eastern markets but due to the blockade, which luckily is now a thing of the past, they disappeared for a while. The return is always hard and requires time. It also costs a lot. Moreover, it is also worth knowing that Polish processing plants are considered the most modern in Europe and in the world.
Is a Polish product good?
- The modernisation of processing and the changes that took place in the countryside before and soon after Poland’s accession to the European Union led to a situation when we have not only very high-quality raw materials, but also exceptional products. The products are characterised by top quality and excellent taste, which origin from many years of production traditions and making use of old, tested and proven recipes. A consumer who makes a purchase is the best verifier of a product. Soon before accession to the European Union, Polish citizens were afraid that imported products would dominate the domestic market. Soon, it turned out that Polish products gained recognition among the consumers from the “old” European Union member states.
In December 2009, more than 200 Polish producers were given the “Discover Great Food” quality mark. Please tell us something about the programme, the interest expressed in it by Polish producers and the benefits connected with obtaining this quality mark.
- The “Discover Great Food” programme is addressed especially to consumers. The programme started in 2004. The quality marks have so far been granted to more than 600 food products. They are mainly dairy products, sweets, fresh and processed fruit and vegetables, cured meat products, ready-made goods and alcoholic product.
The right to use the “Discover Great Food” quality mark on the packaging is given by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to those products that meet the criteria set by the Scientific Committee in charge of ensuring quality of food products. The Committee comprises prominent scientists and experts specialising in agricultural production, processing and nutrition. The quality mark placed on a package informs consumers that a given product meets the highest criteria as far as quality, production conditions and ingredients are concerned. The “Discover Great Food” quality mark is a valuable form of promotion and a perfect marketing instrument used by producers very willingly. For consumers a recognisable mark is an indication that the product they have chosen is characterised by both highest quality parameters as well as exceptional taste. It needs to be underlined that the mark is given for a specified period of 3 years. Therefore, the quality and high taste values are constantly controlled and monitored.
Which of the Polish products have been exported to the East in biggest quantities, and which of them only begin to fight for a position on the market?
- As I have already mentioned, absence and then an attempt to return to the market means a necessity to restore trade contacts and win consumers back. Time does not stand still and competitors do not idle. Gradual normalisation in the trade exchange of agricultural and food products with our Belarusian, Ukrainian and Russian partners allows for careful optimism as far as permanent return of Polish products to those markets is concerned. We have a wide offer of both raw materials as well as ready-made products. Although a demanding consumer from the European Union is our main recipient, the production potential of Polish agriculture makes it possible to expand the scope of export to both Eastern and Far Eastern markets as well as the US. Vegetables and fruit together with pork are the most popular products exported to the East. Moreover, we successfully export confectionery products, especially the ones with chocolate. I am convinced that there are still considerable reserves in other products. European consumers, but not only, are fond of Polish cured meats and dairy products.
How would you assess the quality of Polish products as compared with the products from abroad?
- The range of offered products is very wide. The success in the foreign trade of agricultural and food products as well as constantly expanding circle of recipients, including such demanding markets as Japan or China, confirm the quality and taste of Polish food products. The positive trade balance in agricultural products turnover oscillates at around EUR 2 billion all the time. Nearly 500 million consumers live in the European Union. They are very demanding and wealthy consumers. Eighty percent of our food exports are delivered straight to them. This very fact clearly proves the quality and taste of Polish products. Additionally, the Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Singaporean or Vietnamese customers express increasing interest in our products. It is a consequence of implementing an active commercial policy and the fact that Polish modernised processing plants are considered the leading plants in the world. It is not without significance that a Polish farmer produces based on natural methods of running a farm without excessive use of chemical pesticides and artificial fertilisers. All of those elements in connection with exceptional recipes allow the products to be of highest quality. Their taste matches the preferences of consumers who more and more often seek traditional goods that clearly differ from the mass produced goods.
Thank you for the interview
Maja Swiecka
Deputy Editor-In-Chief
