CATALYSTS OF CHANGES IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN POLAND DURING THE COVID-19

Abstract

The article answers the question of how the changes in the external environment caused by the Covid-19 pandemic affected the size and product structure of agricultural production in Poland. The research conducted based on data from Statistics Poland covers the years 2017-2021. The results of the study indicate that longer stays at home related to the implementation of the remote work and education system contributed to a significant increase in the share of food in household expenses and an increase in the consumption of low-processed products, including meat, vegetables and fruit. Additionally, the high quality and price competitiveness of Polish food products allowed for an increase in the value of their exports. These factors, together with the improvement of sanitary conditions permitted for the increase in the production of the food industry, and in consequence global agricultural production. Higher consumer demand contributed to an increase in the purchase of plant products, leading to a significant increase in the share of cereals, industrial plants and fruit in the total amount of purchased agricultural products. As a consequence, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the value of plant production increased significantly and for the first time its share in total agricultural production exceeded the share of animal production.