Vietnam Trade Office in Poland reports that Poland's continuously growing economy in recent years has led to a sharp increase in demand for imported agricultural products. These imports serve both the food processing industry and consumer needs. In this context, Polish authorities have also tightened quality control measures for imported goods.
Food and spices imported into Poland come from various regions, mainly Asia, the Middle East, South America, and other EU countries.
Among the most commonly imported items are nuts, rice, herbs, dried fruits, and spices, including cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and pepper. While the majority of imports meet European quality standards, some shipments have failed to do so.
On July 25, 2025, the Polish Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection Authority (IJHARS) in Gdansk announced the detention of a 22-ton shipment of cinnamon from Vietnam due to musty odor, microbiological contamination (molds and yeasts), and other organic pollutants. The decision was implemented immediately. According to procedures, such shipments are either returned to the sender or handled as per regulations.
This is not the first time Polish authorities have seized goods originating from Vietnam. According to IJHARS data, in the first half of 2025, the agency issued bans on five shipments from Vietnam, including black pepper and dried mango.
Vietnam is not alone. Many other countries have also had goods blocked due to non-compliance with food hygiene standards. Topping the list is China (12 shipments), followed by Ukraine (11), Turkey (10), the United Kingdom (9), and Egypt (8). India ranked just behind Vietnam with 4 shipments.
However, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in Poland, the number of shipments subject to action by Polish authorities this year is only about 30% compared to the same period last year. This drop is attributed to the deterrent effect of stricter import controls on agricultural products.
IJHARS has announced plans to further strengthen inspections and increase cooperation with foreign agencies to minimize the risk of unsafe products reaching Polish consumers.
Therefore, the Vietnam Trade Office in Poland recommends that Vietnamese enterprises exporting agricultural products and food to Poland pay close attention to tightening quality control to avoid losses caused by returned or destroyed shipments.
At the same time, they must comply with Polish regulations to protect the reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products, which have been gaining a stable foothold in the Polish market.
Source: vneconomy.vn
