Polish exports play a key role in the development of the country’s economy. In 2023, it reached an impressive 351 billion euros, an increase of 1.4% over the previous year. Although exports to European Union countries saw a slight decline, they increased significantly in emerging markets, helping to boost the trade surplus to €10.6 billion (Rzeczpospolita).
Germany – number one trade partner for years
Germany remains the largest recipient of Polish goods, with a 27.9% share of total exports. The value of exports to the country amounted to €98.1 billion, up 1.7% year-on-year (Rzeczpospolita). Germany is a key partner, especially in the machinery and equipment and automotive sectors.
Ukraine – dynamic growth
One of the most rapidly growing export markets is Ukraine. Despite the difficult geopolitical situation, Polish exports to Ukraine grew by 16.8%, reaching €11.3 billion (Rzeczpospolita). Ukraine has become the seventh largest export market for Poland, demonstrating the importance of trade relations between the two countries.
France and Spain – growing in importance
France and Spain also saw significant increases in Polish exports. France, as the third most important market, recorded an 8.4% increase, reaching €21.5 billion (Rzeczpospolita). Spain, ranked ninth, saw an 8.3% increase to €9.6 billion (Rzeczpospolita). These results show the growing importance of these countries in Poland’s export strategy.
Declines in some markets
Not all markets saw growth. Exports to the Czech Republic, the second-largest recipient of Polish goods, fell by 3.9% to €22 billion (Rzeczpospolita). A similar trend was observed in exports to the Netherlands (down 0.8%) and Slovakia (down 4.9%) (Rzeczpospolita).
Exports to developing countries
Exports to developing countries increased by 7%, reaching 29.2 billion euros. The largest growth was in the markets of Central and Eastern Europe, led by Ukraine (Rzeczpospolita). This shows that Polish companies are successfully expanding their presence in new markets, which is crucial for the country’s further economic development.
For foreign markets, it’s time to start!
The year 2023 was a year of growth and new challenges for Polish exports. Although some traditional markets, such as the Czech Republic, saw declines, the dynamic growth of exports in emerging markets and to countries such as Ukraine, France and Spain shows that Polish industry can adapt to changing market conditions. Exporters should continue to expand into new markets to ensure the country’s continued growth and economic stability.
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