Food security goes beyond simply producing enough food. It encompasses stable, affordable prices, genuine accessibility for consumers, and a resilient food system capable of withstanding economic, climate, and geopolitical shocks. Critical elements include food and feed self-sufficiency, reduced reliance on food imports, and responsible stewardship of strategic resources: soil, water, energy, human capital, knowledge, and innovation.
Poland therefore needs a cohesive strategy for building a sovereign, modern food system that is both competitive and shock-resistant. This strategy should span key areas—from domestic feeding capacity and agricultural economic stability to resilient supply chains, human capital development, and robust knowledge/innovation systems.
Poland’s 7 pillars of food security
1. Capacity to feed the population
Poland must maintain sufficient domestic food production based on its own resources, independent of food imports.
- High self-sufficiency in key products: Poland achieves significant surpluses in many staple agri-food products. Cereal production self-sufficiency stands at around 129%, poultry meat at 215%, and milk at 123%. This overproduction not only meets domestic demand but positions Poland as a major international food exporter.
- Agrarian structure and productivity: Despite ongoing consolidation, Polish agriculture remains relatively fragmented. Further farm consolidation is needed to create efficient, large-scale commercial operations that sustain production levels. For smaller farms, specialization in high-value products, niche markets, and direct sales—supported by digital tools—becomes critical. This sectoral diversification strategically bolsters crisis resilience.
- Importance of crop production: Stable crop production forms the bedrock of food security. Cereals dominate Polish cropland, covering about 70% of sown area. Diversifying crops—particularly increasing high-protein plants like soybeans, peas, and field beans—is essential to reduce feed import dependency and strengthen domestic potential.
- Feed security: Human feeding capacity is inseparable from animal feed availability. Poland heavily relies on imported soybean meal, presenting a strategic vulnerability. Investments in domestic high-protein crop production and alternative protein sources for animal nutrition are vital for sectoral independence.
¹ National Agricultural Support Centre (KOWR), Market Analyses: Grain Market No. 08/2024, August 2024, https://www.kowr.gov.pl/uploads/pl/publikacje/analizy_rynkowe/KOWR_Analizy_rynkowe_Rynek_zboz_08-2024.pdf; KOWR, Meat Market No. 08/2024, August 2024; KOWR, Milk Market No. 08/2024, August 2024.
² Central Statistical Office (GUS), National Agricultural Census 2020. Results Report, Warsaw 2021, p. 47, https://stat.gov.pl/spisy-powszechne/powszechny-spis-rolny-2020/publikacje-psr-2020/powszechny-spis-rolny-2020-raport-z-wynikow,3,1.html; Eurostat, Farms and farmland in the European Union – statistics, March 2023.
³ Central Statistical Office (GUS), Land use and sown area in 2023, Warsaw 2024, https://stat.gov.pl/obszary-tematyczne/rolnictwo-lesnictwo/rolnictwo/uzytkowanie-gruntow-i-powierzchnia-zasiewow-w-2023-roku,1,20.html.
⁴ Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Increasing the use of plant protein in feeds. Information on goal implementation, Warsaw, 2022, p. 3, https://www.gov.pl/attachment/4c554901-b586-4f40-8b09-b7b59e794958.
2. Affordable food prices, stable agriculture
Production and processing must deliver reasonably priced food to consumers while ensuring farm and food industry profitability and steady growth.
- Production cost impact on prices: Input costs—especially fertilizers and energy—directly affect farm incomes and consumer prices. The consumer goods and services price index for food and non-alcoholic beverages rose 3.2% year-on-year in August 2025, partly reflecting sectoral cost pressures. Investments in energy-efficient technologies and fertilizer-reducing methods (e.g., precision agriculture) are crucial for price stability.
- Poland in the EU and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) role: CAP direct payments provide fundamental income stabilization. Under the 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, Poland receives over €25 billion, with ~€17 billion allocated to direct payments, including new eco-schemes promoting sustainable practices.
- Food processing sector importance: A strong, modern processing industry is essential for price stability and farm market outlets. The food industry’s sold production value exceeded PLN 400 billion in 2024, underscoring its economic significance. Supporting SMEs enhances agricultural product value addition.
- Mitigating global market impacts: As a global market participant, Poland faces not only commodity price volatility but primarily shocks in key inputs like fertilizers and crop protection products. Strategic responses include fertilizer independence via natural fertilizer development (e.g., biogas digestate) and promoting sustainable/regenerative practices—stabilizing farm costs and building long-term economic resilience.
¹ Central Statistical Office (GUS), Consumer goods and services price indices in August 2025, Warsaw, September 2025, https://stat.gov.pl/obszary-tematyczne/ceny-handel/wskazniki-cen/wskazniki-cen-towarow-i-uslug-konsumpcyjnych-w-sierpniu-2025-roku,2,166.html.
² Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy for 2023-2027, Warsaw, 2022, https://www.gov.pl/web/rolnictwo/plan-strategiczny-dla-wspolnej-polityki-rolnej-na-lata-2023-2027.
³ Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics (IERiGŻ-PIB), Agricultural Market – analyses, trends, assessments, Quarterly No. 2/2025, Warsaw, 2025.
⁴ Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics – State Research Institute (IERiGŻ-PIB). Publication: Quarterly analysis “Market of production means for agriculture” www.ierigz.waw.pl/publikacje/analizy-rynkowe/rynek-srodkow-produkcji-dla-rolnictwa
3. Resilient, short supply chains
- Shortening the farm-to-fork journey stabilizes markets, increases local producers’ value share, reduces losses, and lowers environmental impact.
- Traceability as origin assurance: Full product tracking enables rapid verification of food origin and supply chain participants. Traceability systems prove food comes from verified sources meeting high quality/safety standards at every stage. They also document sustainable production—without overexploiting water or soil—building product value and market trust.
- Shortening supply chains: Localized logistics networks create crisis-resistant models (pandemics, global shocks) ensuring supply continuity. Built on local supplier/producer collaboration, they shorten distances, foster trust and transparency. More final product value stays with farmers, capital remains regional, spurring economic development and community strength.
- Food waste reduction: Supply chain losses at any stage waste land, water, energy, and labor. Strategic goals target minimization across production, processing, and distribution via circular economy models where byproducts become inputs. Examples include post-production waste as complete animal feed or biogas feedstock—eliminating financial losses while creating revenue streams.
- Raw material base protection—water and soil: For food industry supply chains, soil and water from the starting point. Progressive degradation and water shortages represent the greatest strategic threats. Investing in resource protection/renewal fundamentally secures supply continuity and long-term cost stability.
¹ Based on food safety management system standards such as HACCP and ISO 22000. Digital technologies are seen as tools to strengthen these systems, as discussed in FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) publications on modernizing food safety.
² McKinsey & Company, Building resilient supply chains for the future, 2024. This report indicates that operational resilience has become a key priority for boards of manufacturing companies post-pandemic.
³ Institute of Environmental Protection – State Research Institute (IOŚ-PIB), Research Report “Monitoring food waste in Poland”, Warsaw, 2023. These reports quantify financial losses incurred at each stage of the food supply chain.
⁴ Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (IUNG-PIB), Soil Protection Strategy in Poland, Puławy, 2022. IUNG strategic documents emphasize that soil condition is directly linked to food security and agricultural sector stability, forming the foundation for the food industry.
4. Control over resources
Poland has among the EU’s lowest water resources—making rational water management and efficient fertilizer/feed/energy use prerequisites for profitable, sustainable production. Strategic oversight and optimization of water, land, energy, and inputs are essential for Polish food sovereignty and farm profitability.
- Strategic resource management—water: Poland possesses among Europe’s smallest per capita renewable freshwater resources (~1,600 m³/year in dry years). Amid intensifying agricultural droughts, farm-level small retention systems and precision irrigation technologies (cutting water use by up to 50% vs. traditional methods) are absolute priorities.
- Precision agriculture for input optimization: GPS, drones, and sensors enable precise fertilizer/crop protection application only where needed—reducing usage 15-30%, cutting costs, and minimizing environmental impact.
- Circular economy (CE) as business model: Treating farm byproducts (manure, slurry, straw) as waste is inefficient. Strategic development of on-farm biogas plants converts them into green energy and valuable natural fertilizer—closing material loops, reducing mineral fertilizer/energy import dependence, and generating additional income.
- Farm energy independence: Rising energy prices threaten farm financial stability. Supporting on-farm renewable energy investments (RES) cuts bills while building energy sovereignty and security against market price swings.
¹ Central Statistical Office (GUS), Environmental Protection 2024, Warsaw, 2024. These data are regularly published and confirmed by other institutions, e.g. National Water Management Polish Waters.
² Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics (IERiGŻ-PIB), Innovation in Polish Agriculture, Warsaw, 2023. IERiGŻ reports indicate that precision agriculture is one of the key modernization directions, leading to tangible savings.
³ Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Goal: Biogas. Development program for the Polish biogas sector, Warsaw, 2023. Strategic document highlighting farm biogas plants as a key element of energy transformation and implementation of CEWMR in rural areas.
⁴ Polish Economic Institute (PIE), Energy transformation in Polish agriculture, Report, 2024. PIE analyses emphasize the high potential of RES in the agricultural sector as a way to reduce costs and increase energy security.
5. Climate-resilient agriculture
Droughts, floods, and extreme weather demand soil regeneration, resilient varieties, and water/energy-saving technologies. Climate change—manifesting as intense droughts, flash floods, and heatwaves—poses the greatest long-term production stability threat. Sectoral resilience is prerequisite for sustained food security.
- Soil as natural climate buffer: Healthy, organic matter-rich soil acts like a sponge—absorbing excess rain (preventing erosion) and releasing water during droughts. Promoting sustainable/regenerative practices boosting soil organic matter is the strategic climate response. A 1% increase stores an additional 150-200,000 liters of water per hectare.
- Crop genetic adaptation to new conditions: Production must adapt to warmer, drier climates. Supporting national breeding programs for drought/heat/pest-resistant varieties—regionally tested and recommended—is essential for future yield protection.
- Systemic risk management: Weather variability sharply increases farm risk. Expanding state-subsidized crop/livestock insurance provides financial protection against unforeseeable events (frost, hail, drought). Precision monitoring/early warning systems must support this.
- Farm-level water infrastructure: With lengthening dry spells, rain-only reliance becomes untenable. Investments in small reservoirs, ponds, and roof water collection (small retention) create local drought buffers and form key adaptation to Poland’s shifting rainfall patterns.
¹ Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (IUNG-PIB), Increasing soil organic matter content as a method of adapting agriculture to climate change, Puławy, 2023. IUNG publications indicate this as the most effective and natural method of combating drought effects.
² Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute – National Research Institute (COBORU), List of varieties recommended for cultivation in the provinces, Słupia Wielka, 2025. COBORU annually publishes lists of varieties that have performed best in each region, considering their resistance to environmental stresses.
³ Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Information on the crop and livestock insurance system, https://www.gov.pl/web/rolnictwo/ubezpieczenia-upraw-rolnych-i-zwierzat-gospodarskich. Agricultural Drought Monitoring System is operated by IUNG-PIB: https://susza.iung.pulawy.pl/.
⁴ Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW-PIB), Climate of Poland 2024, Warsaw, 2025. IMGW reports clearly indicate a trend of increasing frequency and intensity of droughts as well as changes in precipitation character towards more torrential and less regular patterns, necessitating water retention.
6. Human capital as foundation
Farmers and food sector workers stand at the system’s center. Equal opportunities for women/men, attractive conditions for youth, smooth farm/family business succession, and retaining land/facilities in Polish hands represent food security’s most critical challenge.
- Generational turnover and succession crisis: Polish agriculture is aging alarmingly. Average farm managers exceed 52 years; those 65+ comprise nearly 25%, while under-35s are just 8.5%. Without effective succession mechanisms and young farmer financial support, production continuity and potential are at risk.
- Women as rural development engine: Women form a key, often underappreciated pillar of rural economic/social life. Supporting their entrepreneurship in local processing, agritourism, and services is essential.
- Land protection as workplace: Farmland is farmers’ irreplaceable workshop. Legal regulations preventing speculative land grabs—ensuring it stays with actual food producers—are critical for food security over investment goals.
- Future skills investment: Modern farmers must be producers, managers, analysts, and technologists. Strong advisory systems effectively transferring knowledge on new technologies, sustainable practices, and management are indispensable. Farmer skills investment equals sectoral innovation/resilience investment.
¹ Statistics Poland (GUS), Agricultural Census 2020. Report on the results, Warsaw 2021, p. 47, https://stat.gov.pl/spisy-powszechne/powszechny-spis-rolny-2020/publikacje-psr-2020/powszechny-spis-rolny-2020-raport-z-wynikow,3,1.html.
² Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture (ARiMR), Information on support for Country Housewives’ Clubs. ARiMR annually provides funds for the statutory activities of Country Housewives’ Clubs, emphasizing their growing role in activating local communities. See: https://www.gov.pl/web/arimr/kola-gospodyn-wiejskich.
³ National Support Centre for Agriculture (KOWR), Trade in agricultural real estate. KOWR performs tasks resulting from the Act on Shaping the Agricultural System, which regulates land trade. See: https://www.kowr.gov.pl/nieruchomosci/obrot-nieruchomosciami-rolnymi.
⁴ Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Information on the tasks of Agricultural Advisory Centres (ODR). Public advisory service is a statutory task of the state in supporting the development of agriculture. See: https://www.gov.pl/web/rolnictwo/osrodki-doradztwa-rolniczego.
7. Knowledge and innovation development
Poland needs a robust R&D, education, and innovation system spanning agriculture and processing. Universities, institutes, demonstration/experimental farms must drive knowledge transfer and practice advancement across the value chain. Long-term food security hinges on innovation creation/adoption capacity. A cohesive science-education-practice system multiplies agri-food sector strength to meet future challenges.
- Effective science-to-practice knowledge transfer: Strengthening advisory center roles/competencies and expanding demonstration farm networks is key. Farmers witness/evaluate new solutions in practice—the most persuasive adoption driver.
- Strategic R&D investments: Focus resources on agriculture-critical areas: modern breeding (climate adaptation), automation/robotics (labor response), biotechnology.
- Digitalization as Agriculture 4.0 foundation: Digitalization enables leap productivity/sustainability gains—not an end in itself. Priority: farmer digital skills development, data access (satellite, meteorological) for precision/smart farm management.
- Modern education at every level: Future challenges demand new-competency cadres. Agricultural schools/universities must modernize curricula covering not just production but data management, economics, marketing, sustainable resource stewardship—preparing graduates for profitable modern farm businesses.
¹ Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, “Cooperation (EIP)” activities under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. This activity aims to support the creation of operational groups for innovation, bringing together farmers, scientists, and advisors. See: https://www.gov.pl/web/rolnictwo/eip-wspolpraca.
² National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR), Strategic program of scientific research and development works “Natural environment, agriculture and forestry” – BIOSTRATEG. The program’s goal is to develop knowledge and technology in the agri-food sector. See: https://www.gov.pl/web/ncbr/biostrateg.
³ Polish Economic Institute (PIE), Digital leap of Polish agriculture?, Report, 2024. Reports from PIE and other think-tanks indicate that despite progress, the level of adoption of digital technologies in Polish agriculture still requires support, especially in smaller farms.
⁴ Ministry of Education and Science, Higher Education Development Strategy. MEiN strategic documents emphasize the need to adapt the educational offer to the requirements of a modern economy, including sectors such as agriculture and food processing.