The outlook for the Polish fishing industry at the start of 2026 was positive – does it remain so after the first half of the year? We examine the data and check how it aligns with predictions from key industry sources.
At the start of 2026, expectations for the Polish fishing sector were based on stable growth, strong exports, and a developed processing base. Estimates for the fish and seafood processing market in Poland indicated a value of approximately. 4.05 billion EUR in 2023 and growth forecast for €4.53bn in 2026, with an average annual growth rate of 3,7%. This suggested that the industry had another year of growth ahead of it, rather than a slowdown.
The first half of 2026 largely confirmed this direction. The market remained strongly export-oriented, and Polish companies continued to strengthen their position in supply chains to Western Europe, especially in the processed and frozen product segment. This shows that Poland is maintaining its status as an important processing hub in the region.
One of the least surprising elements was the continued growth in the importance of exports. In 2025, Polish agri-food exports reached 58.4 billion EUR, which means an increase of 8,5% year on year, and fish and fish products accounted for approximately 4,5% these values, i.e. 2.64 billion EUR. Around 85% exports of fish products went to the European Union market.
In practice, this means that the Polish fishing industry remains heavily dependent on demand from foreign markets, but at the same time has a well-established and resilient sales structure. Frozen, dried, and smoked products still account for the largest share of exports, which together represent approximately 90% Sales values in the fish category. It's a stable foundation, but also a signal that the industry is quite heavily concentrated on a few product groups.
If anything truly distinguished the first half of 2026, it was the increasing role of regulations. EU decisions regarding fishing opportunities for 2026 directly impacted supply planning, raw material prices, and the purchasing strategy of companies throughout the value chain. The Baltic Sea was particularly important, where further restrictions on some species necessitated greater caution from producers and importers.
Poland obtained, among other things,. 24,033 tonnes of herring in the central Baltic Sea and 59,300 tonnes of sprats, but at the same time the limit for salmon in area 22–31 fell by 27%. This has presented the industry with a mixed picture: on the one hand, better conditions for mass processors, on the other – continued pressure on the premium segment and companies working with raw materials of limited availability. Regulation has ceased to be just a backdrop to business activity and has become one of the main factors influencing daily business decisions.
The first half of 2026 also showed that companies are adapting to new realities ever more quickly. Earlier contracting of supplies, greater diversification of raw material sources, and increased attention to documentation are increasingly visible. This is a response to an environment where not only price counts, but also the origin of the product, regulatory compliance, and the ability to quickly prove the quality of the entire chain.
Transparency is also increasingly important. Consumers, particularly from Western Europe, today expect not only a good product but also certainty that it has been sourced and processed to high standards. For Polish companies, this means a necessity to invest in processes, quality systems, and better information management.
The biggest surprise wasn't the market growth itself, as that was predicted. What was surprising was how quickly regulations and compliance issues became a central theme in the daily operations of the industry. In practice, this means that the cost advantage, which for years was one of the most important assets of the Polish sector, is increasingly giving way to an organizational, logistical, and qualitative advantage.
It is also clearly visible that the Polish fish industry no longer functions solely as a processing base. It is increasingly seen as a business partner that offers a full value chain: from raw material, through processing, to logistics and the finished product.
In this environment, POLFISH remains one of the most important forums for the exchange of knowledge and experience. It is here, during industry meetings and at Scene Debate, we can talk about the most important challenges facing the sector: regulations, raw material availability, plant modernisation, and the competitiveness of Polish companies in the EU market.
For entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses in line with the new realities, it is now essential to combine market knowledge, business contacts and an awareness of legal changes. POLFISH provides the ideal platform for this – not only as a trade fair, but also as a forum for the industry to share experiences.
The Polish fish industry remains in good shape, but it is becoming increasingly clear that growth alone is not enough. In the coming months, companies that can combine cost-effectiveness with high compliance and transparency will fare best. In a world of increasing regulatory pressure, those who operate faster, cleaner, and more flexibly will gain an advantage.
The Polish fishing sector has solid foundations. The most important thing now will be to consistently strengthen them.
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