Poland is set to open a new export market for its apples in the Philippines this fall, Agriculture Minister Stefan Krajewski announced at the WOFEX food trade fair in Manila, in the latest sign of Polish food producers' growing reach into Asia.
Poland ranks among the world's top apple producers, generally trading second-to-fourth place globally with Turkey and the United States, and is the largest producer within the European Union, with harvests that can top 4.3 million tons a year. China leads global output by a wide margin, with an estimated 48 million tons expected in 2026 - roughly half the world's total.
"Apples, of which we are the largest producer in Europe and the second largest in the world, we want to send in various directions, and here the Asian market is of significant importance," Krajewski said.
The apple deal builds on inroads Polish companies have already made in the Philippines. Dairy producers Mlekovita and OSM Łowicz have established export sales there, and small sausages, known as kabanosy, have found favor with local consumers - helped in part by a Palawan-based producer, run by a Polish emigrant, that makes cold cuts using traditional Polish recipes.
"It's encouraging that in the Philippines, Polish milk is already recognizable - people can name the products that are appearing, we hear about Polish kabanosy", Krajewski said. "Our food is indeed becoming a recognizable brand".
Poland's food exports to the Philippines topped EUR 81 million in 2025, driven mainly by dairy and poultry products.
(jh)
Source: Polish Radio