Market Trends of Poland Cold Chain Logistics Industry
Poland’s Foreign Trade in Agri-Food Products
Revenue on international sales increased by 27.3% year-on-year to PLN 183.2 billion (USD 46.15 Billion) in the first ten months of 2022. The higher growth rate compared to 2021 confirms the success of Polish entrepreneurs in the global agri-food market. Exporting agri-food allows the management of surplus food produced in Poland. It is a major source of income for the Polish agro-food industry and has a positive impact on the economy. On the other hand, agri-food imports increased by 29.6% to PLN 122 billion (USD 30.73 billion) in the first 10 months of 2022. The positive trade balance amounted to PLN 13.0 billion (USD 3.27 billion), compared to PLN 61 billion (USD 15.37 billion) in the same period of 2021.
Poland's main trade partner is Germany. Between January and October 2022, exports to Germany totaled EUR 9.7 billion (USD 10.88 billion), 26% more than the previous year. The main products exported from Poland to Germany are cigarettes, poultry meat, fish preparations, and pet food. The main products for export to Germany are mostly poultry meat, cigarettes, and grains of maize. The main products for export from Poland to the EU are mainly poultry meat, meat preparations, and fish preparations.
Supply chain demand for temperature and humidity control
The main determinant of Polish feed consumption is meat consumption, which is responsible for most of the price variations. In volume terms, meat production and consumption are stable, which means that feed demand is stable.
Year-on-year (YoY) growth of 19.5% (EUR 3.21 billion) for the year ended April 2022, according to data compiled by KOWR (National Centre for the Export of Agricultural and Food Goods). The total value of Polish exports of agricultural and food products reached EUR 14.0 billion (USD 14.90 Billion) in the year to April 2022. Poultry and bread products accounted for the largest share of Polish exports in the agricultural and food category. Animal feed followed, followed by chocolate products and cattle. Last year, the volume of Polish exports of food and agricultural products reached a new peak of EUR 37.8 billion (USD 39.58 Billion).
Ambient control is especially important for meat and dairy handling. Dairy products are sensitive to temperature as well as handling and mechanical damage during loading and unloading. On the other hand, in meat, the increased ambient temperature can lead to the growth and multiplication of harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning at the time of consumption. Therefore, companies that produce and transport meat, fish, or dairy products are obligated to maintain the continuity of cold chain facilities with established environmental conditions throughout the whole production, storage, and delivery process.
