Poland sees rise in direct food purchases and bakery exports

A recent survey commissioned by the Institute of Food Strategy shows that 76 % of Poles would like to buy food directly from farmers and 78 % are ready to pay more for higher‑quality products. Only 24 % regularly visit markets and 17 % buy directly from producers weekly, highlighting limited access to local outlets. Municipalities such as Rzeszów and Kraków are planning measures to improve market infrastructure and short supply chains.

At the same time, Poland’s bakery sector is expanding its export footprint. Exports now account for 17‑20 % of the industry’s revenue and have grown at double‑digit rates from 2020 to 2025. Polish bakery goods are sold in over 100 countries, with the European Union absorbing the bulk of bread exports (over 90 %) and around 80 % of other bakery categories. New markets include Norway, Switzerland, Bosnia, Moldova, Ukraine, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Iceland, placing Poland among the top EU exporters to third‑country markets.