Areas of cooperation

The parties confirmed their mutual interest in strengthening cooperation in trade in agri-food products and the latest technologies and innovations in agriculture.

Cooperation in the face of war

The interlocutors drew attention to the prospects for developing Polish-Israeli cooperation in the context of the disruption of global food supply chains due to the war in Ukraine.

Deputy Prime Minister Kowalczyk outlined Poland's efforts to facilitate the export of grain and other agricultural commodities from Ukraine to third countries. The Israeli Ambassador stressed that the food security of African countries and some countries in the Middle East had been seriously threatened by the war.

State and prospects for trade development

The Deputy Prime Minister noted Poland’s untapped potential in developing agricultural trade. He stated that it was essential to remove barriers limiting the growth of trade. Minister Kowalczyk expressed hope that Israel would lift restrictions on importing poultry meat and its products from Poland and confirm the conditions for importing frozen beef from Poland. He also encouraged Israeli partners to cooperate with the National Support Centre for Agriculture to facilitate contacts between entrepreneurs from both countries, for instance, by organising economic missions.

Ambassador Yacov Livne forwarded the information that Polish food was available on the Israeli market. He drew particular attention to Polish beef, which consumers eagerly sought because of its quality, taste and affordable price. He also recalled that Israel exported many products, such as avocados and bananas, which could not be grown in Poland due to climatic conditions.

Both parties unanimously noted the complementarity of Polish and Israeli agriculture, which is a factor favouring the development of mutually beneficial trade cooperation between the countries.

Ambassador Livne also expressed his conviction that Poland and Israel could develop contacts in new technologies and agricultural innovation. He highlighted Israel’s excellent achievements in this field. Deputy Prime Minister Kowalczyk admitted that due to climate change, it was already worth looking at Israeli solutions.

Agricultural exports to Israel

In January-October 2022, the value of agricultural exports to Israel reached more than EUR 334 million (an increase of 43 per cent compared to the same period in 2021).

Poland mainly exported beef, sugar, wheat, processed foods, bread and pastries, water, fish fillets, cheese and cottage cheese.