Export Resilience of the Polish Potato Sector to Global Shocks and Structural Change

The aim of the article is to assess the resilience of exports in the Polish potato sector under the conditions of global shocks in 2020-2024 and parallel structural changes in the international market. The analysis covers the main product segments: fresh potatoes, seed potatoes, processed potato products, and potato starch. Export resilience is the ability to maintain export growth, market position, and the relative stability of export destinations despite deteriorating external conditions. The study is based on foreign trade indicators referring to export value and volume, trade balance, unit value, short- and medium-term dynamics, market concentration, and Poland’s position in world exports. The results indicate clear differences in resilience across individual segments. The highest resilience is observed in segments more closely linked to processing, especially frozen potato products and potato starch. These segments are characterized by large export volumes, a positive trade balance, higher unit values, greater geographical diversification, and a stronger position in world exports. Raw material segments, despite high export growth in the most recent period, remain more vulnerable to market disruptions. The analysis confirms that the growing role of processing is an important mechanism strengthening the export resilience of the Polish potato sector.