Areas of cooperation

The Ministers confirmed that both states were interested in strengthening their bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture – both in the economic dimension and in the scope of the use of the most advanced technologies and innovation in agriculture.

Both states stressed the vital importance of food security, pointing out that the COVID-2019 pandemic and the war in Ukraine had made everyone aware of the importance of ensuring permanent access to agri-food products.

The interest of the UAE in imports from Poland

Minister Robert Telus noted that Poland was the EU leader in terms of the production and exports of agri-food products which were exported to many countries all over the world.

Minister of State Ahmed Al Sayegh confirmed the interest of the UAE in imports from Poland, especially wheat and barley. The talks on this matter with Emirati trade partners will be held, among others, by the company Elewarr, which is part of the National Food Group.

Access of Polish products to the UAE market

Secretary of State Krzysztof Ciecióra submitted to the Emirati delegation the proposal for lifting a ban on imports from Poland of raw poultry meat, eggs for human consumption and their products. He stressed that most of Poland was free from avian influenza and that our products were safe and high-quality. Minister Al Sayegh promised that this problem would be addressed after he returned to his country.

Scientific and research cooperation

During the meeting the issue of strengthening the cooperation in the scope of innovation, digitalisation, transfer of knowledge and energy transition was also considered. The Emirati delegation proposed the signing of an agreement covering these issues. It would give new impetus to scientific and research cooperation. It is of huge importance for the development of agriculture in both Poland and the UAE.

The interlocutors agreed that the issues related to water use in agriculture could be an important area of joint activities, especially in light of the climate conditions in the UAE, as well as the droughts which occur in Poland.

Deputy Minister Krzysztof Ciecióra responded positively to this initiative and stressed that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development supervised 12 research institutes which were ready to engage in joint studies and projects with foreign partners. The Deputy Minister noted, too, that agricultural studies were also carried out by institutions supervised by the Ministry of Education and Science, as well as by agricultural universities.

Plans of the UAE delegation

The visit of the Emirati delegation to Poland was a direct result of the arrangements made during the visit paid to the UAE by Mr. Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland, in March 2023. Among others, the delegation participates in the Polish-Emirati business forum (with the participation of agri-food companies), in many meetings, including those with selected research institutes supervised by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and in study visits, including those in Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodship (for the purposes of developing business cooperation in the agricultural sector).

Polish agricultural exports to the UAE

In 2022, the value of agricultural exports to the United Arab Emirates reached a level of nearly EUR 126 million (i.e. it grew by 55% compared with 2021). The main Polish exports included processed food, bread, bakery products, chocolate and other processed food containing cocoa.

In the first three months of 2023, the value of agricultural exports to the UAE was EUR 46 million, i.e. it grew by 79% compared with the analogous period of 2022. In that period, the Polish exports primarily included bread, bakery products, cakes and pastries.