Clive Beddall, Warsaw
Poland's EU accession next year is prompting speculation that it could again become a "significant supplier" of bacon to the UK.
Major local meat groups lined up alongside companies from the UK, Hungary, Italy and the US at the first IFE Poland show.
But traders warned that as the local industry faced "major adjustments" to attain EU standards, it would be some time before local plants achieved anything near previous shipment levels.
Before Britain joined the EU, Poland held a significant stake in the UK rasher market, and while product has been shipped here in recent years, the quantities have been small.
One international trader told The Grocer in Warsaw: "Poland's accession will not mean an immediate flood of its pigmeat into the UK. Much of the farming and processing sector still needs to get its act together, and that could be a painful transition.
"The most immediate effect of EU status will be a flood of pigmeat into the country from existing member states like Germany.
"Certain suppliers, well aware of the potential among the country's 38 million pork eating inhabitants, are already massing on the border and they could enjoy a three-year bonanza, mainly selling raw material."
Meanwhile, there is growing concern that the 10 countries due to join the EU next year will pose a "significant threat" to pig price stability. The UK's National Pig Association points out that Hungary is producing at least 100,000 pigs a month too many, and the industry infrastructure is verging on collapse.
Poland, which produces nearly half the total pigmeat of the potential new members, has introduced an intervention programme. This will help create short-term stability, but will be illegal as soon as it joins the EU.
UK pigmeat shipments to Poland have fallen in recent years to just 521 tonnes in 2002 compared with 4,800 tonnes in 1998.But judging by the number of British meat traders at the show, some believe there is potential for a bigger trade.
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Poland's EU accession next year is prompting speculation that it could again become a "significant supplier" of bacon to the UK.
Major local meat groups lined up alongside companies from the UK, Hungary, Italy and the US at the first IFE Poland show.
But traders warned that as the local industry faced "major adjustments" to attain EU standards, it would be some time before local plants achieved anything near previous shipment levels.
Before Britain joined the EU, Poland held a significant stake in the UK rasher market, and while product has been shipped here in recent years, the quantities have been small.
One international trader told The Grocer in Warsaw: "Poland's accession will not mean an immediate flood of its pigmeat into the UK. Much of the farming and processing sector still needs to get its act together, and that could be a painful transition.
"The most immediate effect of EU status will be a flood of pigmeat into the country from existing member states like Germany.
"Certain suppliers, well aware of the potential among the country's 38 million pork eating inhabitants, are already massing on the border and they could enjoy a three-year bonanza, mainly selling raw material."
Meanwhile, there is growing concern that the 10 countries due to join the EU next year will pose a "significant threat" to pig price stability. The UK's National Pig Association points out that Hungary is producing at least 100,000 pigs a month too many, and the industry infrastructure is verging on collapse.
Poland, which produces nearly half the total pigmeat of the potential new members, has introduced an intervention programme. This will help create short-term stability, but will be illegal as soon as it joins the EU.
UK pigmeat shipments to Poland have fallen in recent years to just 521 tonnes in 2002 compared with 4,800 tonnes in 1998.But judging by the number of British meat traders at the show, some believe there is potential for a bigger trade.
{{MARKET EDGE }}
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