"The Polish market is known for the strength of its distribution channels. Sixty per cent of fruit and vegetables are bought from supermarkets, discounters and hypermarkets. However, the traditional market also plays an important role in the distribution of fruit and vegetables, with 25 per cent of sales coming from small shops or greengrocers. Creating synergies with large retailers and fruit and vegetable managers is exactly the aim of the event held by Fresh Food Leader, which will take place in Warsaw on 17-18 September." Manager Anna Wiernicka explains that the event will consist of a series of face-to-face meetings between fruit and vegetable buyers from major retail chains and fruit and vegetable producers and/or marketers.
"This will be an excellent opportunity to meet importers and national distributors who supply the traditional market, as well as to network with the managers of some local distribution chains."
The meetings will bring together fruit and vegetable buyers from major retail chains, including Auchan, Biedronka Carrefour, Chata Polska, Dino, E.Leclerc, Eurocash Group (frisco.pl, Delikatesy Centrum, abc, Lewiatan, Groszek, Eko, Mila), Intermarche, Nasz Sklep, Netto, Polo Market, Selgros, Spar, Stokrotka, Żabka, as well as national importers and distributors supplying smaller chains.
"Poland is a strategic partner for Italy, as demonstrated by the progressive expansion of Italian trade relations, which reached a record of €28 billion in 2021 and a further €32.6 billion at the end of 2022, with a growth of 16.4% compared to the previous year. On a global scale, Italy ranks 2nd among Poland's suppliers and 5th among its customers." This was stated in the report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation by Luca Franchetti Pardo, the Italian Ambassador to Poland.
Over the past 30 years, Poland has ranked first in Europe and second in the world - only behind China - in the rate of growth of per capita consumption. The speed with which consumers respond to change and the dynamic market innovation are reflected in these statistics. The growth in the purchasing power of the population continues to provide a stimulus to domestic demand. The result is a favourable scenario for Italian companies interested in the export of their products.
"Although Italian companies are well established on the Polish market, there is still plenty of room for growth. From this point of view, the country's geographical position should not be underestimated. Poland lies at the crossroads of the main European trade routes and, as a logistics hub, is a potential centre for expansion into other Eastern European markets. This also explains the number of foreign investors attracted to Poland, supported by tax and logistical facilities through Special Economic Zones (SEZs)."
Sales figures in the Polish large-scale retail trade sector over the past five years:
- Biedronka is the largest retail network in Poland with more than 3,596 stores across the country, with a growth of 696 pdv in the last 5 years.
- Dino, co-leader in Poland with 2,272 supermarkets nationwide, is expanding rapidly, adding 272 stores in 2023 alone.
- Stokrotka, a premium brand with over 976 pdv, has grown by 500 pdv in the last 5 years.
"Import strategies are evolving, with an emphasis on short supply chains that go directly to the production companies. Even the smallest companies are preparing to establish direct contacts with Italian companies, which can arrange for 1 or 2 truckloads of vegetables per week, instead of having to buy them from national importers. The main Italian products of interest to Polish wholesalers are pears, kiwis, nectarines, apricots, citrus fruits, table grapes, melons, strawberries and cherries. Poland is the world's leading producer and exporter of apples. It does, however, import organic Italian apples."
With regard to Italian vegetables, there is a demand for tomatoes, all varieties of lettuce, radishes, courgettes, peppers, broccoli. The main import season starts in autumn and lasts through the winter. In the pre-harvest period, the main imports are carrots (although Poland is the second largest producer of carrots in the EU) and potatoes.
"Polish consumers have a high regard for Italian products and are very open to anything new. In the last edition of the event, the most popular imported product was the avocado. This year, the focus will be on radicchio, a world-class Italian product that is already appreciated by Polish consumers in fresh-cut packages, but that is still missing from supermarket fruit and vegetable shelves."
For more information:
Fresh Food Leader
Tel.: (+39) 366 646 0285
Email: [email protected]
www.freshfoodleader.com