Poland to Begin Exporting Apples to Philippine Market Following Bilateral Agreement
AI-assisted original article by 1news, based on reporting from GMA News Online. Featured image credited to the source.
Poland is set to start exporting apples to the Philippines soon after completing necessary bilateral arrangements, according to Polish Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Stefan Krajewski. In an exclusive interview with GMA News, Krajewski confirmed that the two countries have finalized discussions that will allow Polish apples to enter the Philippine market, with implementation targeted for later in 2026 or possibly in 2027.
The announcement marks a significant development in ongoing negotiations between Poland and the Philippines. Earlier in July, Poland’s Ministry of Agriculture indicated that preparations and bilateral arrangements for apple exports were still underway. Poland, a member of the European Union located in Central Europe, has already established itself as a major supplier of poultry products to the Philippines, particularly mechanically deboned chicken meat (MDM). The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture accredited Poland to export poultry products in 2023, and since then, Poland has become the country’s third-largest chicken meat supplier, according to Polish officials.
In 2025, Poland’s agricultural and food exports to the Philippines reached approximately $106 million, representing a 30.6 percent increase from $81.1 million in 2024. The leading exports include dairy products, poultry meat, and edible poultry offal, as reported by the Polish Agriculture Ministry. This growth reflects expanding trade ties between the two nations in the agri-food sector.
During his visit to Manila, Minister Krajewski met with Cabinet Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. and other Philippine officials to discuss further cooperation. Among the topics were potential employment opportunities for Filipinos in Poland’s agriculture, rural development, food-processing, and food-production sectors. Krajewski noted that Filipino workers currently employed in Poland are highly regarded by Polish companies for their discipline, quick learning abilities, and good command of the English language. However, he did not specify the number of Filipino workers to be hired or provide a timeline for their deployment.
Poland has also expressed interest in importing more Philippine agricultural products, particularly mangoes and avocados. The minister highlighted that enhanced market access could be facilitated by a future free trade agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and the European Union. Negotiations for the EU-Philippines FTA resumed in March 2024, with the sixth round held in May 2026, but no final agreement has been reached yet.
Beyond agriculture and trade, the two countries are exploring closer cooperation in defense, maritime security, and the defense industry. Krajewski indicated that further discussions on these topics could occur during an anticipated visit to Manila by Polish President Karol Nawrocki in October. He described this visit as an ideal opportunity for high-level talks between the Polish and Philippine presidents.
The planned export of Polish apples to the Philippines represents a new chapter in bilateral agricultural relations, building on Poland’s existing role as a key supplier of poultry products. The move is expected to diversify the range of Polish agricultural goods available in the Philippine market and strengthen economic ties between the two countries.