Poland becomes the sixth largest food producer in the EU

But many companies are not yet ready for the EU

According to estimates by Polish economic experts, when Poland joins the EU at the beginning of May 2004, it will be the sixth largest food manufacturer in the EU in terms of sales. This puts Poland in the ranking behind Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Great Britain. However, according to the experts, the result could be different if Polish processing plants were forced to close after May 1 due to insufficient competitiveness or non-compliance with production standards.

This risk exists primarily in the meat industry, where currently only three percent of the approximately 4.000 slaughterhouses and meat processors have already completed the adjustment to EU hygiene standards. Almost 2.000 companies will complete the modernization measures by accession or in the transitional period granted by the EU. The future of around 1.700 companies has not yet been clarified. The EU regulations allow them to continue producing for the domestic market even after accession if they meet a minimum of criteria. Nevertheless, a few hundred companies will probably have to give up production.

Ebenfalls von vielen Schließungen wird die Milchbranche betroffen sein. Von den insgesamt 412 polnischen Molkereien erfüllen derzeit nur etwa 13 Prozent die Anforderungen der EU hinsichtlich Qualität und Hygiene.

Der Produktionswert der polnischen Lebensmittelindustrie wird auf etwa 50 Milliarden Euro geschätzt. Im Sektor sind knapp 300.000 Personen beschäftigt.

Source: Bonn [ZmP]