Global trade is facing uncertainty. The U.S. is returning to protectionism, Europe grapples with the Green Deal and an influx of cheap Ukrainian food, while Polish farmers seek new export routes. In this unstable landscape, students from Warsaw universities, primarily the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), have collected over 1,500 signatures for an appeal to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. Their goal? To urge the government to strengthen ties with Asian and Arab markets to protect Polish farmers and their products from trade barriers. This is an initiative by young people who dream of working in agriculture and see how fragile their future is today.
The Voice of Students, the Future of Rural Poland
The idea was born on SGGW’s campus and quickly turned into action. Students, often from rural families, know the effort required to produce food. Many already run their own farms, supplying milk, poultry, or beef to major buyers. “I think this is primarily the voice of young people who take their studies and work seriously but are also thinking about their future in the agri-food industry,” says Urszula Elceser, a representative of the campaign supporting Polish agriculture. Their appeal calls on the government to protect exports to high-demand markets in Asia and the Persian Gulf, where Polish products are well-regarded. Why? Because political decisions, such as tariffs or overly strict regulations, could close these markets, along with the chance for stable income.
Why Asia and the Persian Gulf?
Polish apples, powdered milk, and meat have long earned global recognition. Persian Gulf countries import up to 80% of their food, and Asia’s dynamic economies, like China, have a huge appetite for high-quality products. Polish goods meet their stringent standards, from taste to quality certifications. However, access to these markets is not guaranteed. Can Poland afford to risk losing such partners? Students argue that, amid U.S. protectionism and European instability, Asia and the Persian Gulf offer a chance to sell surpluses and reduce reliance on traditional markets.
Polish agriculture is a globally recognized brand. From apples in Mazovian orchards to beef and poultry from Podlasie, Polish products gain acclaim in Asia and the Persian Gulf due to their quality and certifications like halal. For example, in 2024, powdered milk exports to the Gulf rose by 15%, and China increased orders for Polish apples. Why are these markets so vital? Their growing demand offers a chance to sell surpluses that often remain unsold in Europe due to competition. By signing the appeal, students highlight that Polish food has global potential—provided the government doesn’t close these doors with hasty decisions.
Threats to Young Farmers
In regions like Podlasie and Mazovia, where soils are not always ideal for crops, dairy farming is often the backbone of farms. If exports to Asian and Arab markets are restricted, farmers may face surpluses, low purchase prices, or even bankruptcy. “I believe the main threat is the inability to work in our dream profession. This could mean lower wages, and in the case of production surpluses, a lack of buyers,” emphasizes Urszula Elceser. Young people wanting to invest in modern technologies need stable incomes. Without them, banks are reluctant to grant loans, making agriculture less attractive to the next generation. The result? Rural depopulation and the loss of decades of expertise.
Global trade today is a minefield. Donald Trump’s protectionist economic policies, which prioritize tariffs and restrictions, sideline Europe. The Green Deal imposes new requirements on farmers, raising production costs. Add to that competition from cheap Ukrainian food flooding the European market. In this landscape, Asian and Arab markets offer Poland stability. Students urge the government not to squander this opportunity through unconsulted decisions, like the controversial “Five for Animals” policy, which sparked outrage in rural communities.
What Do Students Expect?
The students’ appeal is not just a cry of frustration but a concrete call to action. Among their proposals is strengthening the Polish Investment and Trade Agency to help exporters showcase products at trade fairs in Dubai or Shanghai. They also want smart foreign policy that avoids tariffs and regulations harming trade partners. Monitoring non-tariff barriers, like phytosanitary standards, and simplifying certifications are further steps to open doors to Asia and the Persian Gulf. Will the government hear the young voices? Students believe their signatures are the start of a conversation that could influence political decisions.
The campaign also aims to reach ordinary Poles. Students want consumers to understand that food prices in stores depend on international trade relations. If Asian and Arab markets close, prices could rise, and small farms may disappear. Their initiative shows that young people are not indifferent—they will lead Polish agriculture in the future. Whether their voice will change the government’s approach remains unclear, but over 1,500 signatures prove that students are ready to fight for their dreams and for rural Poland.
