Position of the Food Industry in Poland on the EU Food Market

Purpose: This article aims to determine the position of Poland's food industry in the EU food market and compare its entity structure with that of the European Union. Poland's integration into the EU accelerated the development of the food industry and increased trade turnover of the sector's products, resulting from access to a market of approximately 450 million consumers. Design/Methodology/Approach: The objective was realized through a statistical-descriptive analysis using a range of statistical data presented in tables and graphs, facilitating understanding and visualization of the raw data describing the evaluated phenomenon. In the next stage, an inferential statistical analysis was employed to identify the position of the food sector in the EU market across various areas. The study was enriched by comparing the population and economic potential with the economic strength of the country's food industry. Findings: The level of concentration of the food industry in Poland is lower than the EU average, but for the proper functioning and development of the sector, it is necessary to diversify the entity structure. The food industry in Poland occupies a strong position in the EU market as both a producer and exporter. The dynamic development of the sector has improved labour productivity and economic efficiency, narrowing the gap between it and the leaders of the EU food sector. Practical Implications: The research results presented in the article can be useful for entrepreneurs and exporters, as well as for public administration at various levels in creating regional policy. They can also serve as a source of information for traders and be helpful to educators in presenting the potential of this industry in Poland. Originality/Value: The originality of the research lies in assessing the position of the Polish food industry against the EU sector using absolute values concerning, among other things, the value of production not only at current prices but also at comparable prices (i.e., after considering the purchasing power parity of individual currencies). This assessment is supplemented by a ranking evaluating the competitive position of the food industry in Poland against large selected food producers in the EU.