Poultry importers from Japan and Hong Kong visited Poland as part of the promotional campaign “Poultry with a European passport”. The stay was aimed at introducing Polish poultry farming to Far Eastern entrepreneurs, showing the innovative nature of the industry and the care for high quality and production standards.
The reference visit of poultry importers from Japan and Hong Kong was concluded with a seminar entitled “Southeast Asia – development opportunities and export cooperation” organized by KRD-IG for European poultry producers. The meeting, which took place at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, aimed to provide poultry producers with practical knowledge about the Japanese and Hong Kong markets.
– The development of the poultry industry since Poland’s accession to the EU has made us a recognized and modern producer. Polish food meets very high quality standards and is also attractively priced – said Magdalena Żelazna from the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Agriculture. She reminded that meat production and export is a Polish specialty. In 2023, the value of poultry meat exports from Polish companies amounted to EUR 4.1 billion.
The promotional campaign “Poultry with a European Passport” is run by KRD-IG, which brings together over 100 of the largest Polish manufacturing companies operating in the “from farm to fork” chain, representing 90% of exporters.
– We produce three million tons of poultry meat annually. This is the most in the EU. The next on the podium are Germany and France, which produce around 1.7 million tons each – informed Dariusz Goszczyński, president of the board of KRD-IG.
The campaign “Poultry with a European passport” aims to increase awareness of European poultry products. – The EU is known worldwide for its high-quality products. We have and implement regulations not only regarding food quality, but also animal welfare – argued Dariusz Goszczyński.
A significant benefit for European poultry producers participating in the seminar with Japanese and Hong Kong importers were the presentations by representatives of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency and the Chief Veterinary Officer. Experts showed what support entrepreneurs can count on.
– We analyze the export potential of the company and help outline the direction of expansion. We create information packages about the market, its value, organize B2B meetings and search for business partners – listed Patryk Szczotka, representative of PAIH.
Veterinarian Paweł Meyer, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for Animal Food Safety and Feed, Pharmaceuticals and Utilization, presented veterinary and sanitary requirements for the export of Polish meat to Japan and Hong Kong. He announced that the ban on importing meat from Poland and EU countries due to bird flu will soon be lifted.
– The Chief Veterinary Officer has submitted a declaration to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on regaining the status of a country free from highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry as of April 5, 2024 – admitted Paweł Meyer.
The declaration is submitted as a result of the completion of procedures for the elimination of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in poultry identified in the territory of the Republic of Poland between December 7, 2023 and March 2, 2024. In accordance with Article 10.4.6 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code, the recovery of the free status may occur after 28 days from the implementation of the stamping-out policy, provided that the activities are completed and supervision is ensured. The Polish veterinary services have implemented all the control procedures provided for in the event of the occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry, including the killing of birds, the disposal of carcasses of dead and killed birds, cleaning and disinfection. Restricted areas have been established around the disease outbreaks, where restrictions were in force. Poland, as a Member State of the European Union, is implementing a bird flu surveillance program on farms keeping poultry and in wild birds.
– Currently, in the territory of the Republic of Poland there are no restrictions on the movement of poultry, meat and poultry products resulting from procedures for combating avian influenza in poultry – emphasized veterinarian Paweł Meyer.
The speakers at the seminar also included entrepreneurs with experience and active operations on the Japanese and Hong Kong markets, who presented the specifics of running a business there and indicated the barriers and opportunities for developing cooperation with Asian partners.
– The Japanese contractor takes a long time to make decisions, requires high-quality products and service – said Michał Taberski, owner of a Polish butcher shop operating on the Japanese market. – For Europeans, it is interesting that the product packaging is small, there are no 500-gram ones, and that every complaint must be considered in favor of the customers – he added.
Maciej Łojek, who presented the specificity of the Hong Kong market, recalled that due to industrialization in the region there is no room for crops and breeding, so imports of goods dominate.
– Chinese cuisine widely uses chicken, duck and turkey, which is a potential for development. Hong Kong is a strategic location for starting a trade adventure with the East – summed up Maciej Łojek.
Source: PAP MediaRoom