Topic of the talks

The conversation concerned the ongoing cooperation in agriculture between Poland and Singapore, including work on eliminating barriers to access to the Singaporean market for Polish agricultural goods and intensifying trade in agri-food products between our countries.

State of bilateral relations in the agricultural sector

At the opening of the meeting, Deputy Minister Rafał Romanowski stressed the importance of developing bilateral relations in the agricultural area for deepening trade at a time of current difficulties caused, among other things, by the COVID-19 pandemic. He thanked Ambassador Loo Choon Yong for his contribution to Polish-Singaporean contacts. He indicated Poland's readiness to strengthen further relations, including trade in agricultural goods with Singapore.

Deputy Minister Romanowski emphasised that Poland is a significant supplier of agricultural commodities in the EU and worldwide.

"In the first half of 2022, we recorded an over 23 per cent increase in the value of agricultural exports compared to the same period last year. Poland is still looking for new markets but is also interested in strengthening cooperation with proven partners," said the Deputy Minister of Agriculture.

Access to the Singaporean market for Polish agri-food goods

In this context, the Deputy Head of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture pointed to the interest in expanding the range of goods exported to Singapore to include Polish beef. Secretary of State Rafał Romanowski emphasised that Poland had already started work on gaining access to the Singaporean market in this segment in 2017.

"I am convinced that the Ambassador's involvement will help to finalise the export procedure quickly," said the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Deputy Minister Romanowski added that Polish beef is available, among others, in Middle Eastern markets but also Asian ones - in Japan or Hong Kong. The Secretary of State also expressed hope for further development of exports from Poland to Singapore in the egg segment.

Prospects for developing cooperation

Ambassador Loo Choon Yong pointed out the need to intensify contacts at the administration and business representatives' levels, especially personal contacts. He expressed his satisfaction with the presence of Polish entrepreneurs on the Singaporean market, signalling further opportunities to strengthen trade ties, also in the context of Singapore's membership in ASEAN.

Trade with Singapore

Singapore is one of the leading target markets for exporting Polish agri-food products in the Asian region and a promising cooperation partner for Poland. Currently, around 90 per cent of Singapore's internal food demand is met through imports.

The value of goods destined for the Singaporean market is gradually increasing - in 2020, we recorded a twofold increase compared to 2019, and in 2021 - an increase of more than 50 per cent compared to 2020 (the value of exports amounted to EUR 66 million). In H1 2022, the main export item to the Singaporean market was birds' eggs.

A fundamental axis of cooperation is currently working on gaining access to the Singapore market for Polish beef.

Polish national stand at the FHA - Food & Beverage fair in Singapore

The popularisation of Polish agri-food products on the Singaporean market will undoubtedly be enhanced by the presence of the Polish national stand at one of the largest international food exhibitions - FHA - Food & Beverage in Singapore.

The fair started on 5 September this year. The Polish stand, organised jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the National Agricultural Support Centre, was officially opened by Magdalena Bogdziewicz, Polish Ambassador to Singapore, and Iwona Piórko, EU Ambassador to Singapore.

By participating in the fair, we aim to promote Polish food, increase its presence in the Asian market, and increase interest in Polish products among potential foreign contractors.

Polish high-quality products are on display, including fish products, including caviar, poultry products, milk and whey powder, as well as frozen fruit and vegetables, fruit and vegetable preserves, dried herbs, juices and fruit drinks, leguminous products, groats, flakes, expanded cereal products, honey, sweets, beer and mineral water. Culinary demonstrations conducted in cooperation with the Beef Meat Promotion Fund are an additional attraction to encourage visitors to the Polish exhibition.

Participation in the FHA - Food & Beverage fair in Singapore is an excellent opportunity not only to popularise Polish agri-food products but also to gain new markets and establish new contacts.