The visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which was held on 25-28 January 2026, is another step of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development towards increasing and strengthening export opportunities for Polish entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector.

During the meetings with the Emirati partners, they confirmed their interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation in agricultural matters, also within the framework of meetings at the working level, so as to streamline contacts and allow for the faster resolution of potential problems or conclusion of agreements.

Talks with the Emirati administration concerning the possibility of strengthening trade relations

During the meeting with Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Deputy Minister Jacek Czerniak presented Polish demands with regard to improving the conditions of export of animal products from Poland to the UAE.

– We hope that the UAE will recognise the regionalisation implemented in Poland in relation to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) – stressed Deputy Minister Czerniak.

The Secretary of State also presented a proposal to conclude a bilateral agreement on cooperation in the field of science and research, which could form the basis for long-lasting cooperation.

Deputy Minister Czerniak also stressed the existing effective cooperation between Poland and the Emirates in the field of Arabian horse breeding and invited the Emirati party to the next edition of the Pride of Poland auction in Janów Podlaski.

An important element of the visit were also the talks with the management of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Agency and the Dubai Municipality ‘s Environment, Health and

Safety Agency. They were an opportunity to discuss the possibility of increasing the presence of Polish companies on the Emirati market – the issues of the prospects for opening the Emirati market to other agri-food products from Poland were raised. The debaters declared their willingness to undertake joint actions aimed at increasing the level of bilateral trade in agri-food commodities.

Support for Polish entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector

During his visit to the UAE, Secretary of State Jacek Czerniak also met with representatives of the business sector – importers and distributors, who confirmed their interest in increasing the presence of Polish products on the Emirati market. The talks focused on the recognition of the Emirati market, in terms of interest of local consumers and importers.

Deputy Minister Czerniak also attended the Gulfood Dubai 2026 agri-food fair, one of the most important industry events in the region.

In this year’s edition, at the Polish national stand, organised by the National Support Centre for Agriculture, 44 companies presented their products (last year, it was 32 companies). The growing number of Polish exhibitors confirms that the Emirati market has a prospective significance for the Polish export and our food is appreciated by Emirati customers.

Results of the Polish agri-food export to the UAE

The United Arab Emirates is one of the main recipients of Polish food in the Middle East region. According to the MARD trade data for the period January-November 2025, we exported agricultural commodities with a value of nearly EUR 138 million to the UAE. We exported mainly: bread, pastry, cakes and biscuits, tobacco, sugar syrups, chocolate, products containing cocoa as well as poultry meat and edible offa