"The entry into force of a free trade agreement between Canada and the European Union will not be a landmark moment, but it will make it easier for Polish companies to enter the Canadian market," said deputy Agriculture Minister Jacek Bogucki.
Bogucki emphasised that, for several years, Polish exports to Canada have been growing rapidly and, due to the dynamic situation, it is difficult to estimate precisely how much Polish exports may increase after the entry into force of the CETA (Canada-EU Free Trade Agreement). "We can compete with a quality that exceeds Canadian standards, but also in terms of price," he stressed.
He added that the Ministry of Agriculture is working on a strategy to promote Polish food in a more coordinated manner, with the collaboration of the government and the country's agro-business organizations.
Leszek Wiwała, President of the Board of the Polish Employers' Association, told PAP that Polish food producers may benefit from the entry into force of CETA, but should carefully examine the characteristics of the Canadian market and prepare their strategies in this regard.
According to EC data, almost 2 thousand Polish companies export to Canada, and almost 80 percent of these are small and medium enterprises. Poland has a surplus trade with Canada; in 2015, the value of Canadian exports to Poland amounted to 318 million dollars, while the value of Polish exports to Canada reached 1.3 billion dollars.
The CETA was adopted by the European Parliament on 15 February and requires ratification by Canada and individual EU countries. The commercial part will be valid from the beginning of July. As noted by the European Commission, almost 92 percent of agro-food products will be able to be exported to Canada duty-free. This also applies to fruit and vegetables, wine and spirits products, cheeses and processed products and traditional products from European countries protected by geographical indications.
Source: money.pl
