Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 7/19/2005

**GAIN Report Number:** PL5018

PL5018

**Poland**

**Product Brief**

**Dried Fruit and Nuts**

**2005**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Charles Rush

US Embassy

**Prepared by:**

Natalia Koniuszewska, Elizabeth Minor

**Report Highlights:**

Market research shows that about 32 percent of Poles buy a variety of
nuts and dried fruits throughout the year. Quick snacks and other easy
foods are showing continued expansion in the Polish food industry. As a
result, this sector shows overall growth. Total imports of dried fruits
and nuts in 2004 increased 8.2 percent from 2003.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

Warsaw \[PL1\]

\[PL\]

Table of Contents

[**Section I. Market Overview 3**](#section-i.-market-overview)

[Section II. Market Sector Opportunities and Threats
4](#section-ii.-market-sector-opportunities-and-threats)

[1) Entry Strategy 4](#entry-strategy)

[2) Market Size, Structure, Trends 4](#market-size-structure-trends)

[3.) Market Preferences 10](#market-preferences)

[Section IV. Market Access 12](#section-iv.-market-access)

[- Registration of a new imported product:
12](#registration-of-a-new-imported-product)

[V. Key Contacts and Further Information
13](#v.-key-contacts-and-further-information)

# Section I. Market Overview

Quick snacks and foods are showing continued expansion in the Polish
food industry. Polish consumers perceive dried fruit and nuts as a
positive, healthy form of food \"on the go.\" As a result, this sector
shows overall growth. Total imports of dried fruits and nuts in 2004
increased 8.2 percent from 2003. This developing market has brought
forth a variety of changes, including bulk packaging. While bulk
packaging brings in a higher quantity of product, it has proven to
decrease overall quality. The lack of a tariff for raw shelled and
unshelled peanuts and newly decreased tariffs for walnuts, pistachios,
raisins, dried prunes, and mixed nuts due to Poland's EU accession,
offers U.S. suppliers the opportunity to capture a larger market share
in Poland.

Market research shows that about 32 percent of Poles buy a variety of
nuts and dried fruits throughout the year*.* Nearly 65 percent purchase
nuts once a month, 25 percent purchase nuts once a week, and 7 percent
purchase nuts more than once a week. Among the nuts available on the
Polish market, the following are the most popular: peanuts, walnuts,
hazelnuts, almonds, and pistachios.

No detailed data on dried fruit consumption is available. The most
popular dried fruits on the Polish market are: raisins, prunes, dates,
apricots, figs, apples, and pears. Dried cranberries are occasionally
offered in the market; however, due to the lifting of the ad valorem
tariff the potential for expansion in this area has expanded.

Demand for these products is highest between January and May. This is
stimulated by Carnival season, Easter holidays, and a decrease in the
availability of fresh fruit during this period. Polish consumers, ages
15-19, are the largest consumers of dried fruit and nuts. This age group
likes the health food aspect and uses nuts and dried fruit as snacks.
Additionally, these products are popular with 20-49 year olds.
Consumption by those over 50 is marginal, mainly due to low-income
levels and no convention of eating nuts and dried fruits as a snack.
Market research shows that these products are most popular with urban
residents who have high school or college degrees and have medium to
high-income levels.

# 

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  **Advantages**                      **Challenges**

  Polish consumption of dried fruit   Competition with the snack food
  and nuts is on the rise.            industry.

  The market is opening to new        EU member states are allowed duty
  products such as flavored and       free market access.
  roasted peanuts and almonds.        
  Further development of alcoholic    
  beverage advertisement could be     
  utilized to promote this new        
  category.                           

  Tariffs on walnuts, pistachios,     Spanish producers currently
  raisins, prunes, and mixed nuts     dominate the market for almonds due
  have been significantly reduced.    to much lower product costs. Market
                                      promotions of U.S. products are
                                      required in order to convince
                                      Polish importers to switch to U.S.
                                      products.

  Consumers consider U.S. products to Getting fresh products to the
  be higher quality.                  consumer.
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

# Section II. Market Sector Opportunities and Threats

## 1) Entry Strategy

Larger firms have traditionally distributed products in this sector
through wholesalers. However, more dried fruit and nut importers are
increasingly using direct distribution to the retail market. Direct
distribution reduces overall cost and increases product freshness.
Larger firms have also introduced sales representatives in the field to
process orders and to collect market information for the firm. Smaller
firms, with less access to capital, rely on wholesalers to link them to
the market. These firms do not have the capital necessary to distribute
their product internally.

Exporters of U.S. dried fruit and nuts may obtain a list of current
Polish importers by contacting the Office of Agricultural Affairs at the
U.S. Embassy in Warsaw (see Section V).

## 2) Market Size, Structure, Trends

The retail centers for dried fruit and nut sales are broken into several
segments. They include hypermarkets, supermarkets, discount stores,
convenience stores, traditional stores, and kiosks. Hypermarkets have
been growing in number throughout Poland and offer the largest variety
of and give the most shelf space to dried fruits and nuts. Supermarkets
and discount stores also offer a large variety of and dedicate shelf
space to these products. Convenience stores are a new and growing
distribution channel located at railway, bus, and gas stations
throughout Poland. The number of these stores is expected to double over
the next few years and will likely offer the greatest potential for
market growth in snack products. In addition, Poland's automotive sales
continue to increase, although not at the levels seen in the 1990\'s*,*
thus, gas stations with food stores are an increasingly attractive
retail outlet. Traditional stores and kiosks offer the least amount of
variety and shelf space for dried fruit and nuts but make up the largest
percentage of stores.

In terms of substitutes, the potato chip/snack food industry competes
heavily with the dried fruit and nuts sector. Firms involved in this
industry advertise heavily through TV and billboards. Fresh fruits and
vegetables also compete with dried fruit and nuts during the summer.
Consumption of dried fruit and nuts is the highest between September and
May when fresh fruits are not as widely available.

While overall imports of dried fruits and nuts have grown 8.2 percent,
new trends in market development have promoted an increase in bulk
packaging from grams to kilograms, which has decreased quality.
Additionally, foreign retail outlets often demand the same product terms
and prices as those used in their Western European stores. The following
tables show a break down of dried fruits and nuts imported to Poland.

Dried Fruit & Nuts Import Tables (In Thousands)

####### Almonds, Fresh or Dried, In Shell, 080211

  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------
  **Partner     **Unit**   **2002**                  **2003**                  **2004**                  **%                              **% Change**
  Country**                                                                                              Share**                          

                           **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **2002**   **2003**   **2004**   **2004/2003**

  World         T          695        0              575        0              105        0              100        100        100        -81.83

  United States T          660        0              569        0              77         0              95         99         73.4       -86.52

  Germany       T          1          0              0          0              24         0              0.15       0          23.3       0

  Spain         T          32         0              6          0              2          0              4.56       0.96       1.67       -68.52

  Slovakia      T          0          0              0          0              2          0              0          0          1.51       0

  Netherlands   T          0          0              0          0              0          0              0          0          0.05       0
  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------

***Almonds, Fresh or Dried, Shelled, 080212***

  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------
  **Partner     **Unit**   **2002**                  **2003**                  **2004**                  **%                              **% Change**
  Country**                                                                                              Share**                          

                           **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **2002**   **2003**   **2004**   **2004/2003**

  World         T          5798       2              8017       2              11968      2              100        100        100        49.29

  United States T          2537       1              3666       1              4608       1              43.8       45.7       38.5       25.69

  Spain         T          3132       1              3965       1              4217       1              54         49.5       35.2       6.36

  Germany       T          15         0              2          0              1284       0              0.25       0.02       10.7       ∞

  Netherlands   T          0          0              0          0              621        0              0          0          5.19       0

  Greece        T          0          0              57         0              601        0              0          0.71       5.02       952.02

  Italy         T          1          0              322        0              288        0              0.01       4.01       2.41       -10.46

  France        T          0          0              0          0              176        0              0          0          1.47       0

  Lithuania     T          0          0              0          0              86         0              0          0          0.71       0

  Denmark       T          0          0              0          0              32         0              0          0          0.27       0

  Czech         T          0          0              0          0              23         0              0          0          0.19       0
  Republic                                                                                                                                

  United        T          0          0              0          0              13         0              0          0          0.11       0
  Kingdom                                                                                                                                 

  Sweden        T          60         0              4          0              9          0              1.03       0.05       0.08       111.49

  Austria       T          0          0              0          0              4          0              0          0          0.03       0

  Norway        T          0          0              0          0              3          0              0          0          0.02       0
  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------

Raisins, 080620

  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------
  **Partner     **Unit**   **2002**                  **2003**                  **2004**                  **%                              **% Change**
  Country**                                                                                              Share**                          

                           **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **2002**   **2003**   **2004**   **2004/2003**

  World         T          11229      14             12846      14             16043      15             100        100        100        24.88

  Iran          T          4713       7              6953       8              8957       10             42         54.1       55.8       28.82

  Greece        T          3107       3              2352       2              2338       2              27.7       18.3       14.6       -0.62

  Chile         T          284        0              761        1              1150       1              2.53       5.92       7.17       51.11

  Turkey        T          1808       2              1504       2              1099       1              16.1       11.7       6.85       -26.9

  Germany       T          2          0              0          0              915        1              0.02       0          5.71       0

  United States T          1069       1              859        1              718        1              9.52       6.68       4.48       -16.35

  Argentina     T          15         0              0          0              220        0              0.13       0          1.37       0

  Belgium       T          0          0              0          0              212        0              0          0          1.32       0

  South Africa  T          101        0              105        0              131        0              0.9        0.82       0.82       24.45

  Netherlands   T          0          0              0          0              68         0              0          0          0.42       0

  Australia     T          0          0              79         0              51         0              0          0.62       0.32       -35.41

  France        T          16         0              0          0              33         0              0.14       0          0.21       0

  Czech         T          0          0              0          0              29         0              0          0          0.18       0
  Republic                                                                                                                                

  Thailand      T          0          0              0          0              21         0              0          0          0.13       0

  United        T          33         0              109        0              18         0              0.29       0.84       0.12       -82.96
  Kingdom                                                                                                                                 

  Lithuania     T          0          0              0          0              18         0              0          0          0.11       0

  Italy         T          0          0              17         0              16         0              0          0.14       0.1        -5.51

  Slovakia      T          0          0              0          0              15         0              0          0          0.09       0

  Spain         T          0          0              6          0              13         0              0          0.05       0.08       130.32

  Sweden        T          2          0              2          0              11         0              0.02       0.01       0.07       524.94

  Denmark       T          0          0              0          0              4          0              0          0          0.02       0

  Austria       T          0          0              0          0              2          0              0          0          0.01       0

  Moldova       T          0          0              0          0              2          0              0          0          0.01       0
  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------

#### 

Peanuts, In Shell, Not Roasted or Cooked, 120210

  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------
  **Partner     **Unit**   **2002**                  **2003**                  **2004**                  **%                              **% Change**
  Country**                                                                                              Share**                          

                           **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **2002**   **2003**   **2004**   **2004/2003**

  World         T          4778       9              3988       6              4680       5              100        100        100        17.36

  China         T          4519       8              3932       6              3246       4              94.6       98.6       69.4       -17.44

  Germany       T          1          0              0          0              917        0              0.01       0          19.6       0

  Argentina     T          192        0              0          0              264        0              4.03       0          5.64       0

  Netherlands   T          0          0              0          0              233        0              0          0          4.98       0

  India         T          0          0              0          0              16         0              0          0          0.34       0

  Vietnam       T          2          0              2          0              2          0              0.04       0.04       0.05       42.67

  France        T          0          0              0          0              2          0              0          0          0.04       0

  Cameroon      T          10         0              0          0              0          0              0.21       0          0          0

  Switzerland   T          54         0              54         0              0          0              1.14       1.35       0          -100

  United States T          0          0              0          0              0          0              0.01       0          0          0
  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------

#### 

####### Peanuts, Shelled, Not Roasted or Cooked, 120220

  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------
  **Partner     **Unit**   **2002**                  **2003**                  **2004**                  **%                              **% Change**
  Country**                                                                                              Share**                          

                           **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **2002**   **2003**   **2004**   **2004/2003**

  World         T          15445      22             19422      25             21258      24             100        100        100        9.45

  Netherlands   T          0          0              0          0              6827       7              0          0          32.1       0

  China         T          7517       11             11367      15             5975       7              48.7       58.5       28.1       -47.43

  India         T          388        1              215        0              3857       5              2.51       1.11       18.2       1693.3

  Argentina     T          3331       5              5817       7              2447       3              21.6       30         11.5       -57.93

  Brazil        T          156        0              817        1              1560       2              1.01       4.21       7.34       90.89

  United States T          2984       3              682        1              327        0              19.3       3.51       1.54       -52.03

  Ghana         T          0          0              37         0              104        0              0          0.19       0.49       181.7

  Austria       T          96         0              78         0              45         0              0.62       0.4        0.21       -41.88

  Cote d Ivoire T          0          0              0          0              33         0              0          0          0.16       0

  Latvia        T          0          0              0          0              24         0              0          0          0.11       0

  Turkey        T          0          0              0          0              20         0              0          0          0.1        0

  South Africa  T          612        1              128        0              15         0              3.96       0.66       0.07       -88.16

  Greece        T          0          0              28         0              11         0              0          0.15       0.05       -60.58

  Lithuania     T          0          0              0          0              5          0              0          0          0.02       0

  Vietnam       T          2          0              6          0              5          0              0.01       0.03       0.02       -17.12

  Germany       T          0          0              0          0              2          0              0          0          0.01       0
  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------

####### Mixture of Nuts or Dried Fruits, 081350

  -------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------
  **Partner      **Unit**   **2002**                  **2003**                  **2004**                  **%                              **% Change**
  Country**                                                                                               Share**                          

                            **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **2002**   **2003**   **2004**   **2004/2003**

  World          T          129        0              225        0              962        0              100        100        100        326.82

  Germany        T          104        0              154        0              812        0              80.5       68.4       84.3       426.42

  Latvia         T          0          0              0          0              52         0              0          0          5.4        0

  France         T          0          0              0          0              37         0              0.23       0.01       3.84       ∞

  Czech Republic T          2          0              0          0              30         0              1.56       0          3.11       0

  Austria        T          12         0              17         0              16         0              9.39       7.35       1.65       -3.91

  Italy          T          1          0              7          0              9          0              0.43       2.94       0.96       39.21

  United Kingdom T          0          0              8          0              3          0              0          3.61       0.31       -62.83

  South Africa   T          4          0              4          0              1          0              2.71       1.82       0.14       -67.8

  Netherlands    T          1          0              0          0              1          0              0.99       0          0.12       0

  Vietnam        T          1          0              0          0              0          0              0.54       0          0.02       0

  Turkey         T          1          0              5          0              0          0              0.47       2.03       0.02       -96.44
  -------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------

#### 

####  

Pistachios, Fresh or Dried, 080250

  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------
  **Partner     **Unit**   **2002**                  **2003**                  **2004**                  **%                              **% Change**
  Country**                                                                                              Share**                          

                           **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **2002**   **2003**   **2004**   **2004/2003**

  World         T          3248       1              3734       1              5457       1              100        100        100        46.17

  Germany       T          3          0              3          0              2836       1              0.09       0.07       52         ∞

  Iran          T          3023       1              3465       1              1429       0              93.1       92.8       26.2       -58.77

  Spain         T          0          0              7          0              498        0              0          0.19       9.13       7050.55

  United States T          0          0              74         0              159        0              0          1.97       2.91       115.62

  Luxembourg    T          0          0              0          0              159        0              0          0          2.91       0

  Netherlands   T          0          0              0          0              150        0              0          0          2.74       0

  Slovakia      T          0          0              0          0              119        0              0          0          2.19       0

  Lithuania     T          0          0              0          0              94         0              0          0          1.72       0

  Hungary       T          0          0              0          0              8          0              0          0          0.15       0

  Italy         T          85         0              62         0              3          0              2.61       1.66       0.05       -95.5
  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------

####### Prunes, Dried, 081320

  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------
  **Partner     **Unit**   **2002**                  **2003**                  **2004**                  **%                              **% Change**
  Country**                                                                                              Share**                          

                           **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **2002**   **2003**   **2004**   **2004/2003**

  World         T          4279       3              5548       4              7283       4              100        100        100        31.28

  Chile         T          1455       1              1330       1              2273       1              34         24         31.2       70.88

  United States T          1735       1              1527       1              1656       1              40.5       27.5       22.7       8.5

  Germany       T          0          0              0          0              1027       1              0          0          14.1       ∞

  Argentina     T          855        1              2454       2              913        1              20         44.2       12.5       -62.81

  France        T          5          0              113        0              824        1              0.12       2.03       11.3       631.77

  Moldova       T          7          0              12         0              129        0              0.15       0.21       1.76       983.04

  Netherlands   T          1          0              0          0              89         0              0.02       0          1.22       0

  Spain         T          0          0              0          0              83         0              0          0          1.13       0

  Lithuania     T          0          0              0          0              76         0              0          0          1.05       0

  Yugoslavia    T          0          0              0          0              71         0              0          0          0.97       0

  Canada        T          0          0              21         0              63         0              0          0.38       0.87       197.7

  Slovakia      T          42         0              40         0              37         0              0.99       0.72       0.5        -7.8

  Denmark       T          0          0              0          0              31         0              0          0          0.43       0

  Czech         T          169        0              0          0              8          0              3.95       0          0.11       0
  Republic                                                                                                                                

  Turkey        T          5          0              9          0              2          0              0.11       0.15       0.03       -76.56
  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------

####  

Walnuts, Fresh or Dried, In Shell, 080231

  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------
  **Partner     **Unit**   **2002**                  **2003**                  **2004**                  **%                              **% Change**
  Country**                                                                                              Share**                          

                           **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **2002**   **2003**   **2004**   **2004/2003**

  World         T          270        0              309        0              394        0              100        100        100        27.31

  Netherlands   T          0          0              0          0              218        0              0          0          55.4       0

  France        T          210        0              225        0              108        0              77.7       72.7       27.4       -52.01

  Germany       T          0          0              1          0              61         0              0          0.16       15.6       ∞

  Austria       T          0          0              0          0              5          0              0          0          1.2        0

  Slovakia      T          0          0              0          0              1          0              0          0          0.35       0

  United States T          58         0              79         0              0          0              21.3       25.7       0          -99.98

  Spain         T          0          0              4          0              0          0              0          1.41       0          -100
  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------

####### Walnuts, Fresh or Dried, Shelled, 080232

  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------
  **Partner     **Unit**   **2002**                  **2003**                  **2004**                  **%                              **% Change**
  Country**                                                                                              Share**                          

                           **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **2002**   **2003**   **2004**   **2004/2003**

  World         T          140        0              155        0              195        0              100        100        100        25.64

  France        T          91         0              15         0              47         0              65.3       9.54       23.9       215.11

  Netherlands   T          0          0              0          0              46         0              0          0          23.3       0

  Ukraine       T          0          0              7          0              44         0              0          4.61       22.4       511.6

  Moldova       T          1          0              52         0              36         0              0.36       33.4       18.6       -29.95

  Italy         T          1          0              1          0              11         0              0.77       0.59       5.54       1087.76

  Germany       T          6          0              43         0              6          0              4.33       27.6       3.06       -86.06

  Austria       T          0          0              0          0              4          0              0          0          2.18       0

  Sweden        T          1          0              2          0              1          0              0.93       1.55       0.58       -52.75

  Australia     T          0          0              1          0              1          0              0.23       0.56       0.3        -33.89

  Kyrgyzstan    T          0          0              0          0              0          0              0          0          0.04       0

  India         T          19         0              24         0              0          0              13.6       15.5       0          -100
  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------

####  

Sunflower Seeds, Whether or Not Shelled and in Grey and White Striped
Shell (Excl. For Sowing), 12060091

  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------
  **Partner     **Unit**   **2002**                  **2003**                  **2004**                  **%                              **% Change**
  Country**                                                                                              Share**                          

                           **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **USD**    **Quantity**   **2002**   **2003**   **2004**   **2004/2003**

  World         T          5999       12             6792       12             7350       11             100        100        100        8.21

  Hungary       T          3883       9              3833       8              3353       5              64.7       56.4       45.6       -12.53

  China         T          704        1              2216       3              2498       3              11.7       32.6       34         12.72

  United States T          1160       1              459        1              751        1              19.3       6.76       10.2       63.67

  Slovakia      T          62         0              55         0              249        1              1.04       0.8        3.38       355.26

  Czech         T          63         0              136        0              172        0              1.05       2          2.34       26.34
  Republic                                                                                                                                

  Germany       T          0          0              0          0              138        0              0          0          1.88       0

  Argentina     T          17         0              36         0              47         0              0.29       0.53       0.64       30.2

  Netherlands   T          0          0              0          0              44         0              0          0          0.6        0

  Bulgaria      T          0          0              0          0              44         0              0          0          0.6        0

  India         T          14         0              15         0              31         0              0.24       0.22       0.42       101.29

  Ukraine       T          11         0              26         0              12         0              0.19       0.38       0.17       -52.29
  ------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------------

Source: Global Trade Atlas

## 3) Market Preferences

Flavored peanuts, almonds, and hazelnuts have recently become popular
among Polish consumers. Spicy flavors tend to be most appealing. Coated
peanuts, referred to as double crunch peanuts, are also popular and are
available in salted or flavored varieties. Energy bars produced from
grains, nuts, and dried fruits are becoming more visible on the market
as society becomes more health conscious. Products from companies
outside of Poland primarily dominate the energy bar market; however,
Polish companies are starting to produce these bars themselves.
Chocolate manufacturers are also starting to look for high quality
ingredients to ensure longer shelf life for their products. This has led
to an increased demand for high quality nuts as raw materials. Due to
increased local demand, Polish importers have become more interested in
larger orders, increasing the demand for direct shipments from the
United States.

**III. Costs & Prices**

Costs of dried fruits and nuts depend on the brand and the market in
which they are sold (upper, middle, lower income). However, overall
price fluctuation is moderate. The following depicts retail prices for
dried fruit and nuts in June 2005.

Retail Prices

  ----------------------------------- ----------- -------------- --------------
  **Product**                         **Price**   **Quantity**   **Brand**

  Double Crunch Peanuts, Flavors:     7.45        260g           Felix 

  Chili, BBQ, and Paprika                                        

  Double Crunch Peanuts, Plain        4.09        125g           Lorenz

  Double Crunch Peanuts, Plain        4.19        150g           Felix

                                                                 

  Honey Roasted Peanuts               3.07        150g           Abo-Nuss

  Honey Roasted Peanuts               5.50        150g           Felix

  Honey Roasted Peanuts               9.99/kg                    

                                                                 

  In-Shell Salted Peanuts             3.90        300g           Euroshopper

  In-Shell Peanuts                    10.36/kg                   

                                                                 

  Shelled Peanuts                     13.35/kg                   

                                                                 

  Picante Peanuts                     5.35        300g           Felix

  Paprika (Picante) Peanuts           4.19        150g           Felix

                                                                 

  Lightly Salted Peanuts              10.80       500g           Felix

  Salted Peanuts                      3.20        100g           Felix

  Salted Peanuts                      13.99       1000g          Aromat

                                                                 

  Unsalted Peanuts                    4.29        150g           Felix

  Unsalted Peanuts                    8.49        500g           Felix

                                                                 

  Pistachios                          5.39        100g           Felix

  Pistachios                          17.69       500g           Gurillas

                                                                 

  Almonds                             5.50        100g           Bakal

  Almonds                             3.31        100g           Uno Quality

  Sliced Almonds                      2.32        60g            Uno Quality

                                                                 

  Walnuts                             2.03        100g           Uno Quality

  Walnuts                             3.15        80g            Bakalland

                                                                 

  Dried Bananas                       15.20/kg                   

  Dried Pineapple                     20.30/kg                   

  Dried Apples                        6.99        200g           Uno Quality

                                                                 

  Dates                               0.99        150g           Uno Quality

  Dates                               1.52        180g           Bakal

                                                                 

  Dried Apricots                      12.80       250g           Uno Quality

  Dried Apricots                      4.70        100g           Bakalland

                                                                 

  Prunes                              9.99        300g           Uno Quality

  Prunes                              4.20        150g           Bakalland

  Prunes                              2.40        200g           Kresto

                                                                 

  Raisins                             2.25        100g           Bakalland

  Raisins                             5.69        300g           Uno Quality

  Raisins                             2.85        200g           Bakal

                                                                 

  Mixed Fruits and Nuts               2.60        50g            Uno Quality

  Mixed Nuts and Raisins              8.37        300            Felix
  ----------------------------------- ----------- -------------- --------------

Source: FAS Warsaw Field Research

Poland's import tariffs on dried fruit and nuts were drastically reduced
when Poland joined the EU.

**Dried Fruits and Nut Tariffs**

  ---------------- ------------------------------------- ----------------
  CN Code          Name of Product                       EU Tariff

  08021110         Almonds, in shell, bitter             0%

  08021190         Almonds, in shell, other              5.6%\*

  08021210         Almonds, shelled, bitter              0%

  08021290         Almonds, shelled, other               3.5%\*

  080231           Walnuts, in shell                     4%

  080232           Walnuts, shelled                      5.1%

  080250           Pistachios                            1.6%

  080620           Raisins                               2.4%

  081320           Prunes, dried                         9.6%

  08134095         Cranberries, dried                    2.4%

  08135031         Mixture of nuts                       4%

  120210           Peanuts, in shell                     0%

  120220           Peanuts, shelled                      0%

  12060091         Sunflower Seeds                       0%
  ---------------- ------------------------------------- ----------------

\*Other Almonds, in shell and shelled, have a quota of 900,000 tons,
with a tariff quota of 2%.

For more information on EU tariffs please refer to:
[http://europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/dds/en/tarhome.htm]{.underline}

# Section IV. Market Access

The Polish government works to ensure the safety and quality of food for
Polish consumers through a number of regulatory means. Information
specifically pertaining to Poland may be obtained from FAS's Food and
Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) report for Poland.
Most measures are the same as those observed in the European Union. The
most important EU regulations can be found in FAS's FAIRS report for the
European Union, which can be found at the following address
[http://www.useu.be/agri/usda.html]{.underline}.

## - Registration of a new imported product:

All imported products must be approved for sale or use on the Polish
market. Registration and approval of imported products is much simpler
if the product has already received approval for sale in another EU
country. In order to test or register a new product or start procedures
for receiving approval of a new additive (not specified in the approved
additives list) the following procedure should be followed:

Appropriate Voivod Sanitary Station should be contacted. In Warsaw - the
Wojewodzka Stacja Sanitarna (SANEPID) is the appropriate contact. Please
note that only firms registered in Poland (e.g. the potential importer)
can order product testing. Additionally, each region has its own
sanitary station (a list is available from Warsaw SANEPID) and only
firms registered in Warsaw or neighboring areas can conduct product
testing in the Warsaw Sanitary Station.

A local sanitary station must be supplied with a product sample for
testing. The tests can take between two weeks and two months. The cost
is difficult to estimate but may amount to US\$250 per product. An
estimate of the cost can be obtained from the SANEPID station when it is
presented with product details. The lab tests for product ingredients
determine whether they are permitted on the Polish market.

If it is determined that all the ingredients are allowed on the Polish
market, SANEPID test results are sufficient for the product to be sold
in Poland. However, should some ingredients be questioned, additional
requests must be submitted to State Hygiene Office (Panstwowy Zaklad
Higieny).

All packaged/canned food products are required to have Polish language
labels. Multi-language labels are acceptable as long as they include
Polish. The label must contain:

The name of the product,

The name and address of the producer,

The date to be consumed before - the Polish phrase "nalezy spozyc do
XXX" is commonly used,

The net content (weight/capacity), and

The content of the product (ingredients, chemical additives, etc.).

Labeling must be applied in the form of a whole label or a permanent
sticker before the product can enter Poland. Products arriving in Poland
without appropriate labels will be detained at the border until
appropriate labels are applied.

Poland's Ministry of Health and Social Welfare published a new
regulation (Journal of Law no. 87 dtd. May 19, 2003) on food additives
in June 2003. Poland uses a positive-additives list, which identifies
additives that are permitted for use in foodstuffs. This particular
regulation has been one of the most difficult obstacles facing imported
products. As each EU member state has a different list of allowable food
additives it is vital for all U.S. exporters to check with the potential
Polish importers about whether the product intended for the Polish
market meets all the ingredient requirements.

If you would like to contact authorities directly involved in preparing
regulations on food additives and inspection of additive levels for
imported products, please contact the National Food and Nutrition
Institute (see section V for contact information).

# V. Key Contacts and Further Information

Embassy of the United States of America

Office of Agricultural Affairs, Warsaw, Poland

e-mail: [agwarsaw@usda.gov]{.underline} or
[agwarsaw@poczta.onet.pl]{.underline}

tel: 48 22 504 2336, fax: 48 22 504 2320

Mazowiecka Sanitary Station - SANEPID - actual tests & check ups

Mr. Krzysztof Dziubinski, Acting Voividship Sanitary Inspector

ul. Zelazna 79

00-875 Warsaw

ph: 4822-6201656, 6209001 ext. 42

fax: 4822-6248209

[www.wsse-wawa@supermedia.pl]{.underline}

Institute of Food and Nutrition

*-*Dr. Lucjan Szponar, Director

Ms. Katarzyna Stos, Section for Food and Nutrition Manager

ul. Powsinska 61/63

02-903 Warsaw

ph: 4822-5509677, 8420571, 8422171

fax: 4822-8421103

fax: 4822-423742

**For aflatoxin information please contact:**

State Hygiene Office‑ (Panstwowy Zaklad Higieny)

PZH Prof. Jan Krzysztof Ludwicki, Director, ph: 4822‑8497084

Ms. Katarzyna Czaja, chemical residue lab, ph: 4822‑8493332

Ms. Krystyna Rybinska, Food Testing Unit, ph: 4822‑8494051 ext. 359, 339

fax: 4822‑8493513, 8497441

ul. Chocimska 24

Warsaw

Main Sanitary Inspection (Glowny Inspektor Sanitarny ‑ GIS)

Mr. Andrzej Trybusz

ph: 4822‑6351559

fax: 4822‑6356194

ul. Dluga 38/40

00‑238 Warsaw

Polish Center for Research and Certification Ms. Ewa Slowinska

Manager Food Department

ph: 4822‑6470722, 8579916

fax: 4822‑6471109

e‑mail: cert.wyr@pcbc.gov.pl

ul. Klobucka 23A

02‑699 Warsaw

[www.pcbc.gov.pl]{.underline}