Henryk Kowalczyk, deputy prime minister and minister of agriculture stated that Poland can guarantee enough food for even 2 million refugees. “We have a significant surplus of exports over imports of food. We can feel safe”, said Kowalczyk.

However, the head of the Ministry of Agriculture noted that Ukraine is a large exporter of grains. The lack of such exports caused an increase in cereal prices on world markets, also in Poland. The price increase will still be visible.

Deputy Prime Minister Kowalczyk also talked about his conversation with the Minister of Agriculture of Ukraine. “I learned that the Russians shoot farmers, not allowing the fields to be sown”. He emphasized that this would affect the availability of cereals in the future, and probably would impact the prices.

Minister Kowalczyk revealed that work on the creation of Polish Food Holding is almost completed and it is to operate in the first half of this year.

The holding will represent the interests of farmers, incl. counteracting price fixing. It will be a company developed on the basis of Krajowa Spółka Cukrowa. The holding will include the following companies: Zakłady Przemysłu Ziemniaczanego in Piła ZETPEZET, Elewarr, Danko Plant breeding, Małopolska Plant breeding, Poznańska Plant breeding, Kutno Sugar Beet Breeding, Animal Breeding and Plant Seed Production in Polanowice and Kietrz Agriculture Factory.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Kowalczyk, the holding will be constantly expanding with new companies. “We will want to purchase processing plants in various places, but I think that it is high time for a commercial network”, said the head of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Adrian Andrzejewski