Shift in demand patterns creates small improvement in exports to Russia
Polish exports to Russia are slowly bouncing back from the aftermath of
the crisis, but surprisingly, now Russians are buying different Polish
goods than they did two years ago. Prior to the crisis, the flagship
export goods were pharmaceuticals, furniture and processed foods. Exports
of these products to Russia are still dropping and stand at less than 20%
of what they were in 1998. However, total exports in the first half of
this year were 14.5% higher than in the respective period of 1999, thanks
to a shift in goods, such as fruits and vegetables. Potato exports surged
almost 500% in 1999, reaching $4.7 million, while cabbage exports more
than doubled. Other products which helped boost exports are cosmetics and
paper goods. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 22)
