Bilateral talks

Delegations from the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture met at the venue of the MTP Poznań Expo.

Minister Grzegorz Puda, leader of the Polish delegation, spoke with with Mr Ryiad M. Y. Attari, Minister of Agriculture of Palestine.

The topics discussed during the meeting included the status of cooperation between the two states, access to the Palestinian market for agri-food products from Poland as well as possibilities of further development of trade. 

‘The results of trade in agri-food goods between Poland and Palestine are not entirely satisfactory. I think that there is still great potential for growth in this area, noticeable for both sides. Especially considering the complementary nature of agricultural production in our two countries,’ emphasised Minister Grzegorz Puda.

Signing of a Memorandum

Today’s talks concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field agriculture by the Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Palestinian Minister of Agriculture.

‘I am convinced that it will become a stimulus to the strengthening of our relations in the agri-food sector,’ said Minister Grzegorz Puda after signing the document.

The Memorandum covers the following areas of cooperation:

• Agricultural research (genetics, technologies, modern farming methods), exchange of laboratory practices, experts in animal health, food and feed safety.
• Intensifying cooperation in the field of veterinary medicine and increasing the capacity of Palestinian veterinary services.
• Development of land and water resources (land reclamation and water extraction).
• Exchange of experiences on veterinary and phytosanitary legislation, diagnostic activities, measures and agreements needed to achieve efficiency throughout the food safety chain; exchange of experiences on registration of plant protection products.
• Promotion of bilateral agricultural trade between Palestine and Poland.

‘I believe that our task should be to remove any obstacles that may hinder the development of trade,’ said the Polish minister, highlighting the great potential for increasing bilateral trade. ‘This is all the more important considering that agricultural production in our countries is complementary,’ added Minister Puda.

Scope of trade in agri-food products with Palestine

Poland has a positive balance of trade in agri-food products with Palestine. In 2020, it amounted to over EUR 11.7 million and, given the marginal imports from Palestine, also represents the amount of exports.

2020 saw a 32% increase in the value of agri-food exports to Palestine compared to 2019, to almost EUR 11.7 million.

Major products exported to Palestine in 2020 are:

• ​​​​​​​water, including mineral and carbonated water (10% increase of export value year-on-year)
• chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa (50% increase)
• bread, pastry, cakes and biscuits (30% increase)
• frozen beef (nearly threefold increase)

These goods accounted for 81% of the total value of agri-food exports from Poland to Palestine in 2020.

Between January and July 2021, Poland recorded a balance of EUR 5.8 million.