Poland aims to strengthen agri ties with PH, to join WOFEX 2026 food trade show

WARSAW — Poland is seeking to expand its cooperation with the Philippines beyond defense and security by strengthening bilateral ties in food security, agriculture and trade.

Poland is currently the Philippines’ third-largest supplier of chicken meat, particularly mechanically deboned meat or MDM. In 2023, Poland secured approval from the Philippine Department of Agriculture to supply poultry products to the country.

In an interview with GMA News along with other journalists visiting Warsaw, Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Stefan Krajewski said preparations are underway for business-to-business meetings involving Philippine importers, government officials and Polish meat producers.

“We’re also preparing a series of B2B meetings focusing on the Polish meat processing sectors for pork and poultry,” he said.

Krajewski also confirmed that Poland will participate in the World Food Expo, or WOFEX 2026, which will be held from July 29 to August 1 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila.

Poland will make its first appearance at the event with a dedicated “Poland tastes good” National Pavilion, jointly organized by the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the National Support Centre for Agriculture, or KOWR.

Eleven Polish companies will showcase products from the dairy, poultry, pork, processed meat, confectionery, snack and food-ingredient sectors.

“We decided to be present at the World Food Expo in Manila this year, so we’re going to have our national exhibit of our products,” said Polish Agriculture Minister Stefan Krajewski.

“We decided to be present at the World Food Expo in Manila this year, so we’re going to have our national exhibit of our products,” said Krajewski.

“We have great dairy products that we would like at the World of Food Expo to be showcased.”

According to the Polish government, the country’s agri-food exports to the Philippines reached approximately $106 million in 2025, up from $81.1 million in 2024—a year-on-year increase of 30.6%.

Among the participating companies are Mlekpol, Łowicz Dairy Cooperative, Kaskat Dairy, Sokołów, Gobarto, Polskamp, Greta-Plus, Colian, Maspex and Aksam.

Their products include milk powders, ultra-high-temperature milk, dairy ingredients, poultry, pork, processed meat, confectionery, biscuits, wafers and snacks.

A Polish chef will also lead a live culinary program featuring traditional dishes such as kotlet schabowy, or breaded pork cutlet; braised beef known as bitki; and the traditional Polish chicken broth called rosół.

Polish officials said helping improve the food security of partner countries such as the Philippines must be accompanied by strict measures to ensure that exported food is safe and of high quality.

Paweł Meyer, Poland’s Chief Veterinary Officer, said Polish meat producers are required to follow European Union regulations and international standards.

“We are obligated to comply with all EU standards in production of meat products but we also comply with the highest international quality standards,” he said.

Food products exported by Poland are also subjected to strict auditing and veterinary inspections, according to Meyer.

“The Polish veterinary inspection provides very strict supervision and because of that the quality of safety is ensured,” he said.

A worker inspects cheese in a factory. Dairy products are among Poland's top exports. GMA News

Polish officials said dairy products and poultry remain the country’s leading food exports to the Philippines, while opportunities are also growing for pork, processed food, confectionery, snacks and private-label products.

Apples

Poland is also seeking to introduce its apples to the Philippine market.

During a visit to an apple farm in southeastern Poland, GMA News saw how growers carefully maintain the fruit and immediately remove apples that fail to meet production and quality standards.

Most apples currently sold in the Philippines are imported from countries such as China, the United States, New Zealand and Japan.

Krajewski said preparations are underway to secure access for Polish apples to the Philippine market.

“Definitely, we are planning to export our apples because we are famous for our apples both in the European Union and across the world, in fact, and all the preparations are in progress to make it happen.”

Poland described the Philippines as one of Southeast Asia’s most promising food markets and said its participation in WOFEX reflects its commitment to building long-term partnerships with Philippine businesses and consumers.

The Polish exhibitors will be located at Booth 530 of the World Trade Center in Pasay City. — BM, GMA News