Structural changes in Polish horticulture after the accession to The European Union

Polish accession to the European Union has resulted in the dynamic changes in wide scope of our economy. Significant expansion of EU in 2004 has influenced on present members of European Community and has caused the adjustment process in all countries. What has resulted from this expansion, is an opening the European market and growth of competitiveness, also on the horticulture market. Financial resources from Common Agricultural Policy have become one of the important cause of structural changes in Polish agricultural and horticulture market. Efficient use of financial resources from the EU helped Poland to improve market organization. The number of farms, conducting agricultural activities in Poland, is significant against an UE background. However, this amount, since our joining to the Community, is diminishing. This process is profitable for Polish competitiveness. The economic strength of agriculture and horticulture sector is strongly limited with size and conditions of farms. There is still considerable share of small farms in Poland, which hinder this sector from development. Thanks to transformations Polish farmers are able to offer their products according to the international market demands. The advantage of the Polish countryside is relatively young age of citizens. During our attendance among European Community, Polish vegetable production most of varieties have diminished, however the efficiency has significantly increased. Polish fruit production is gaining, mostly thanks to the apples and raspberries production. There is still a long way ahead polish horticulture to conduct needed transformations.