ZM Morliny expects to lose zl. 50 million in sales due to loss of beef exports

The ban on imports of Polish beef by eight countries will mean a decrease of income by at least 10% for the largest exporters, as well as major losses for all beef exporters. "In each country once BSE was discovered the authorities took immediate action. In Poland such a reaction is missing," said Przemyslaw Chabowski, president of the ZM Morliny meat plant. This Ostroda based plant estimates that its loss in revenues due to the ban will be around zl. 50 million. The Agricultural Market Agency (ARR) admits that it will suffer losses due to a decline in beef sales. "We are confident that beef exporters will find new markets, countries in the Middle East are particularly interested in our beef," said Iwona Ciechan, ARR spokesperson. Home sales could also soon be hit as the Polish Association of Meat Producers, Exporters and Importers (PZPEiIEM) announced that 30% of beef sold comes from the unregulated gray market. What impression this will have on consumers is still unknown, but sales of beef have fallen by around 30% over the past four years and the latest news news might accelerate the trend away from beef to poultry. (Puls Biznesu, p. 7) P.W.