Exports to the EU triple in less than a decade, led by food and machinery

Polish exports to the countries of the European Union almost tripled in the years from 1992 to 2000, from $7.6 billion to $22.1 billion. The sale of processed foods rose steadily, even as the market for raw materials and semi-finished products declined. Spectacular growth was achieved by sales of machines and other types of equipment, which accounted for 17% of Polish exports to the EU in 1992 and 37.4% in 2000. Commenting on the figures, a spokesman for the Economy Ministry said, "The trade with the European Union reflects all the changes in Polish trade in the past decade." (Rzeczpospolita, p. B2) A.Z.