Poland’s market share of agricultural products within the European Union is on the increase, thanks to a hike in exports of cigarettes and beer.

Latest estimates from the Polish Agriculture Ministry show that Poland exported cigarettes to the tune of EUR 432.2 million in the first quarter of 2015.

The figure may spell a record for the export of cigarettes this year, with Poland retaining its position as the largest cigarette producer in the European Union.

In 2014, tobacco-related exports grew by 27 percent to land in at over EUR 1.9 billion, a new report from the Foreign Agricultural Markets Monitoring Unit/Foundation for Assistance Programmes for Agriculture (FAMMU/FAPA) reveals.

Cigarettes accounted for around EUR 1.74 billion of the total sum in 2014, up from EUR 1.37 billion the previous year.

Exports of Polish beer are also gaining ground, with international sales amounting to EUR 135.7 million, up by 14.5 percent year-on-year.

“Taking into account Poland’s total beer production, it can be ascertained that beer exports remains a niche, although the figure is rising and there is a chance of further rapid development,” comments Danuta Gut, Director of the Management Board at the Polish Breweries – Union of the Brewing Industry Employers in Poland. (jb)

Source: Rzeczpospolita