Since Poland's accession to the European Union in 2004, the country's agri-food exports have significantly increased, growing from €5.2 billion upon entering the EU to €58.4 billion by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, imports also rose to €38.6 billion, yet the trade balance has consistently seen a surplus, thanks to the provision of high-quality products at competitive prices from Polish producers. This substantial growth in food exports is attributed largely to the efforts of business owners and export specialists, who have navigated their markets with limited institutional support for many years.

The article emphasizes that Polish food producers have managed to successfully penetrate not only EU markets but also other high-growth and high-potential markets around the world. Their achievements in exports can be seen as a clear indication of Poland's growing influence in global food trade. However, the absence of adequate support from institutional frameworks in earlier decades has necessitated that businesses lean on their own strategies and motivations to thrive.

In recent years, Polish businesses, particularly in the agri-food sector, have started receiving more substantial assistance through the establishment of a network of foreign trade offices by the Polish Agency for Investment and Trade (PAIH). This support is geared toward markets that exhibit rapid growth and opportunities beyond just food sales, highlighting how Poland is positioning itself in the competitive landscape of global food exports against other countries that are also vying for these valuable market shares.