Indian importers in Poland
Between October 11 and 16, 2026, Poland hosted a delegation of fruit trade and distribution sector representatives from India. The study visit, organized by the Association of Fruit Growers of the Republic of Poland (ZSRP), was the most important element of the third year of the EU campaign “Time for Apples from Europe in Asia.” Its aim was to showcase the potential of Polish horticulture and further develop Polish-Indian trade cooperation.
During their week-long stay in Poland, the guests from Asia—entrepreneurs and fruit importers, particularly of apples—had the opportunity to directly examine the Polish apple production system. First-hand familiarity with infrastructure and standards is crucial for building mutual trust and lasting trade relations.
The visit’s program included:
- Visits to producers affiliated with ZSRP: the guests familiarized themselves with modern apple cultivation technologies and rigorous sorting, storage, and packaging solutions that meet the highest EU quality and safety standards. The Indian guests also had the opportunity to discover a wealth of European varieties, their unique taste, and commercial qualities.
- B2B meetings: direct talks with Polish exporters focused on commercial terms, logistics, and opportunities to precisely tailor the assortment to the specific requirements of the Indian market.
- Store-checks: the delegation visited retail stores of various formats to learn about the Polish retail market and the determinants of apple presentation and distribution.
An essential point of the mission was an official meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The talks were attended by Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Jacek Czerniak, President of ZSRP Mirosław Maliszewski, representatives of the Main Inspectorate of Plant Health and Seed Inspection, and the National Support Centre for Agriculture. The discussion covered phytosanitary conditions, export potential, and prospects for further cooperation between the countries.
Deputy Minister Jacek Czerniak emphasized the importance of strengthening economic relations with India and building a long-term partnership: – We want to build lasting relationships, not just one-off transactions, which is why I hope for the dynamic development of Polish-Indian cooperation in the agricultural sector. The Polish offer fits perfectly into the needs of the growing Indian middle class, which is looking for premium products and healthy food. I am convinced that a greater opening of India to food from Poland will also be beneficial in terms of building food security and diversifying supplies.
Meanwhile, President Maliszewski stressed that – Depending on the season and weather conditions, Poland produces from 2.5 million to 5 million tons of apples annually. WAPA estimates that this year’s apple production in Poland will amount to approx. 2.665 million tons. Although fewer apples will reach global markets, they will be fruits of excellent quality and a unique sweet-and-sour taste.
Dynamic growth of Polish export
Apples are the flagship agri-food product that has achieved success on the Indian market. In 2025, they accounted for as much as 49% of total Polish agricultural exports to India, the total value of which amounted to EUR 52.2 million.
Data from 2026 indicate further, very dynamic acceleration of trade. In the period from January to July 2026, the value of Polish agri-food exports to India reached EUR 35.33 million, representing an increase of 59% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
The visit of the delegation from India is an important step towards strengthening the presence of Polish fruit in Asia and further balancing the trade balance between the two countries.
