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Newsletter April 2025

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Assembly of the Polish Economic Chamber of Wood Industry in Jachranka, photo by Anna Golińczak (Spondeo)


GDP – During the 1st quarter of 2025, many GDP forecasts for this year were lifted a bit, but now during last week we saw many lowered forecasts, obviously due to Trump's actions. Here are a few examples: ING lowered from 3.5% to 3.2%, CITI lowered to 3.9% and IMF and World Bank to 3.2%. In 2026 the GDP growth is predicted to be a bit slower than in 2025. 


PMI – rose a bit to 50.7 in March. Business confidence is now at its highest level since 2021. 


INFLATION – Inflation in March was 4.9% but economists are predicting the decrease starting soon, and inflation reaching less than 4% in upcoming months. 


SALARIES – Wage growth slowed again in March to 7.7% y/y. Further wage growth deceleration is expected. The average salary crossed the 9,000 PLN / month mark, making a new all-time-high. 


UNEMPLOYMENT – The registered unemployment rate was 5.3% in March. Worth noticing is that employment declined by 0.1%. 


PLN – Polish zloty has weakened a bit to 4.3 levels against the euro, but remained relatively strong amid the global turbulence – it also shows the resilience of the economy. The predicted rate cut by NBP can reflect the FX rates. 


INTEREST RATE – Slowing wage growth, declining inflation and stability in energy prices are making the case for rate cuts in May. I would add here that presidential elections are also a factor in the decision. One Monetary Council Member said that there are now conditions for a 0.5% interest rate cut. When looking at economists’ predictions for interest rate level at the end of the year, it ranges from 3.5% to 4.5%. 


Besides basic indicators, one of the important news is the record budget deficit in Poland, 6.6% of GDP, which is the second highest in the EU after Romania (9.3%). The EU average was 3.2% and a total of 12 countries exceeded the 3% deficit threshold and are facing the EU’s excessive deficit procedure. The deficit in Poland is a result of high social spending programs, damages from the autumn floods and investments in defense. 


The good news in the public finances is that Poland’s debt level is around 55% of the GDP, which is well below Germany, Italy, France and also Finland. 


Another milestone in April was WIG (Polish stock market index) crossing for the first time in the history 100.000 points mark. 


Below are more articles about the economy, including also export figures. Polish foreign trade in Jan-Feb showed a deficit of 1.2 billion EUR. Exports fell and imports increased. “This is a historic moment for the Polish capital market and a symbol of investor confidence in our economy,” commented Tomasz Bardziłowski, president of the Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW), on X.






Santander predicts inflation will decrease, but only in July



Santander bank’s economic analysis predicts that inflation will significantly decrease in July 2025, mainly due to a base effect related to energy prices. Initially, inflation is expected to start declining from April, reaching 4.2-4.3% by mid-year, and dropping below 3.5% in July. Predictions also foresee a drop in food price growth to 3.0% by the end of the year, down from the current 6.7%. 

They also anticipate that the Monetary Policy Council may begin cutting interest rates as early as May, with a 50 basis point decrease.




The US limits imports from China – Poland may benefit


Due to the ongoing trade war between the US and China, the United States is aiming to rapidly reduce its dependency on Chinese goods. This creates opportunities for countries like Poland to become alternative suppliers. According to Puls Biznesu article, the greatest potential lies in industries such as electric vehicle batteries, furniture, building materials, and electrical equipment. A symbolic example of this shift is bicycle parts – Polish exports to the US have increased a hundredfold over the past decade. 


Source: pb.pl



Polish exports to Germany declining, imports from Asia increasing



According to GUS (Statistics Poland), during January and February 2024, Polish exports to Germany dropped by 4.9% year-on-year to €15.1 billion, while imports decreased by 5.2% to €10.8 billion, which means €4,3 billion trade surplus. Germany’s share in Poland’s exports stood at 26.8%, and in imports at 18.6%. Most of Poland’s key trading partners recorded a decline in exports, with exceptions including the United States (+7.5%) and the United Kingdom (+1.1%).

And, on the import side, it is worth noticing that imports from Asian trade partners increased rapidly - South Korea +32.6% and China +13%.

In late 2024, Poland’s total exports grew by 0.8% to €84.5 billion, while imports rose by 6.4% to €87.7 billion (in euro terms).


Sources: stat.gov.pl



New wage record in Poland - slowing growth pace



In March 2025, the average salary in Poland exceeded 9,000 PLN (almost 2,100 EUR) gross, reaching 9,056 PLN, which marks a 7.7% increase compared to the previous year. This is a new record and first time crossing the 9,000 PLN mark, but (finally) the pace of wage growth has begun to slow down. According to the analysis, the wage growth is increasingly aligning with the inflation rate, which was 4.9% in March, resulting in a real wage increase of 2.8%. 


Source: stat.gov.pl 



Meaning of US tariffs to Poland


According to a new report by Polski Instytut Ekonomiczny:


  • 2.6% of Poland's GDP depends on US demand.

  • The USA is Poland’s 8th biggest direct export partner, but 2nd when counting indirect trade.

  • 20% of Polish exporters sell to the US.

  • A 25% tariff could lower Poland’s GDP by 0.4% and exports by 3–4%, heavily impacting industries like automotive, transport, electronics, and machinery.


Rising Chinese imports are also challenging Polish manufacturers both domestically and across the EU.


Source: pie.net.pl 



High labor costs the main barrier for companies in April 2025



According to a study by the Polish Economic Institute, the biggest obstacle for businesses in April 2025 was high labor costs, indicated by 69% of companies. This underlines the change of Poland not being a low-salary country anymore. Behind “high labor costs” is of course the fact that the salaries have risen in Poland rapidly y/y, and still over 7% during the Q1/2025. 


The significance of other barriers also increased: economic uncertainty (60%), lack of employees (45%), payment bottlenecks (44%), and financing costs (34%). Payment bottlenecks is an interesting topic, as there has been some sectoral studies showing longer payment times and higher debt ratios, for example in the transport industry. Financing costs reflect the high interest rate level (reference rate still at 5.75%).


On the other hand, this year fewer firms pointed to rising energy prices (51%) and product unavailability (17%) as major challenges.


Source: mik.pie.net.pl  



Strong growth of e-commerce in Poland



In March 2025 in Poland, the BaseLinker Index reached 153 points, marking a 27.7% increase in online sales and a 22.3% rise in order volume compared to February. This signals a clear rebound after a weaker start to the year. Cross-border sales grew by 16% year over year. The average basket value also increased to 204.3 PLN (around 48 EUR) (+3.2% y/y). The highest sales growth was recorded in the supermarket, health & beauty, and home & garden categories. 


Polish online sellers are increasingly taking advantage of platforms such as eBay, Amazon, and even Aliexpress for cross-border trade. 68% of them have been selling internationally online for over 10 years. The main export markets are Germany, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands.


Source: baselinker.com 



Everyday shopping getting still more expensive



According to a report by UCE Research and WSB Merito University, in March 2025 the average prices of everyday products rose by 6.7% year-on-year, which was faster than in January and February. The most significant price hikes were seen in fats (up 16.6%), fruits (13.6%), and non-alcoholic beverages (12.9%). Only one category: dry goods such as sugar and flour – became cheaper, with a drop of 1.2%. Price increases are outpacing inflation (5.3%) and are expected to continue, especially during the holiday season. Key factors behind price increases are higher production and transport costs, as well as growing demand. The study analysed over 100 products across 41,000 stores throughout Poland.


Source: uce-pl.com (Indeks Cen w Sklepach Detalicznych – UCE RESEARCH i Uniwersytet WSB Merito)



Non-alcoholic beer market growing


According to a report by Browary Polskie, non-alcoholic beer sales have 7.5% of the total brewing market. The value of zero beer sales is 1.72 billion PLN (around 400 million EUR). Since 2018, the total value of beer sales have decreased, but non-alcoholic beer sales have grown by 250% and the outlook of the segment is good, the report says. 


Source: biznes.pap.pl 




14 Unicorns from Poland





Source: app.dealroom.co 

Image source: linkedin.com 



Big investment plans by PKP Intercity



PKP Intercity plans to invest over 20 billion PLN (around 4.7 billion EUR) by 2030 - PLN 17 billion (almost 4 billion EUR) for new and modernized rolling stock, and 3.5 billion PLN (around 816 million EUR) for the development of maintenance facilities. These investments aim to improve punctuality and reduce breakdowns. In the first quarter of 2025, 18.4 million passengers used the company’s services, representing a 10% increase compared to the previous year. Part of the funding comes from the National Recovery Plan and EU grants. The company also plans to purchase high-speed trains and double-decker carriages.


Source: pb.pl



Warner Bros eventually did not sell TVN


The big topic in the Polish media landscape, speculations who will be the new owner of the TVN (Polish television network), came to a conclusion mid-April: the owner decided not to sell the company. If the sale happened, it could have changed the balance of power in the media industry, but Warner Bros Discovery has decided to keep the network after a strategic review. Earlier, Polish businessman Michał Sołowow and WP Holding showed interest in buying TVN, but Sołowow withdrew due to economic unpredictability of the Trump administration. MediaForEurope also dropped out in February.




CADesigner builds materials factory in Rybnik


CADesigner Engineering, a company that designs and supplies production lines and tools for railway, automotive, energy and metallurgy, have announced plans to build a new 16.4 million EUR factory in Rybnik. It will use advanced technology, including an X-ray scanner to sort and process materials. Their plant will provide products to the aluminum industry including the nearby company Extral Aluminium. The investments receive EU funding from the special economic zone worth 5.86 million EUR. 


Source: rybnik.eu 



New way to save food – Too Good To Go Box


Too Good To Go has launched the Box service, allowing producers and wholesalers to sell food surpluses before they reach stores. The company handles logistics, creates bundles, and distributes them to app users. They say that everyone benefits: “producers gain a new sales channel, consumers get branded products at lower prices, and the environment is protected through reduced emissions and water savings”.


Source: toogoodtogo.com 



Mazop Group Debuts on NewConnect and Focuses on Exports


Packaging producer Mazop Group plans to debut on the NewConnect market during the second quarter. The company is not targeting the main Warsaw Stock Exchange yet but aims for continued growth, especially in foreign markets. Exports account for 64% of revenues, mainly to Germany, the Netherlands, and France. In 2024, revenues remained stable at around 40 million PLN (more than 9 million EUR). Mazop focuses on two segments: e-commerce packaging (80% of revenues) and industrial packaging, which it aims to grow to 30% of revenue within 3 years, primarily through export expansion.


Source: pb.pl 



Paweł Dobosz invests 100 million EUR in startups


Paweł Dobosz, the founder of Internet Union, plans to invest 100 million EUR in the development of Polish startups through his family foundation. The plan is to invest in 100 young companies during the next few years, with individual investments ranging from 1 to 9 million PLN. The fund is focusing on companies in the fields of chemistry, AI, gaming, and real estate development. Dobosz emphasizes that he will not invest in projects he does not understand, with the key factors being the founders' commitment and energy. The first investments, including in an educational platform and an AI company, will be announced soon.




Uber and Bolt drivers strike


Uber and Bolt drivers were on strike in several Polish cities, including Gdańsk, Warsaw, and Poznań, protesting the high commission fees charged by the platforms. They claim they receive only half of their earnings, which reduces their income. In a petition signed by nearly a thousand people, they demand a minimum fee of 12 PLN (2.80 EUR)  per ride, 3 PLN (0.70 EUR) per kilometre, and higher rates for nighttime rides. They argue that rising living costs, such as fuel prices and the cost of groceries, are worsening their working conditions.


Source: bankier.pl 



Polish clothing company debuts in Albania 


The Polish fashion giant, LPP Group, has begun implementing its new business strategy by opening the first Sinsay store in Albania. This move follows the debut in Kosovo and will accelerate the brand's growth. In the first half of April, stores were opened in Durres and Tirana, with more locations planned by the end of the year, including four in the capital. Sinsay will enter the Albanian market with a full range of products – from clothing to accessories and home décor. The company plans to develop both physical and online sales, with the online store set to launch this year. Albania is the 42nd market where LPP brands are present, and plans for 2025 include further expansion of the retail network.


LPP has announced to have 6,000 Sinsay stores by the end of 2027 and they are also interested in markets such as Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Uzbekistan.


Source: lpp.com 



InPost shopping in the UK 


InPost is growing in the UK by acquisition of local courier company Yodel. The acquisition is set to accelerate InPost's expansion in the UK, with the goal of reaching an 8% market share and handling 300 million parcels annually. The company also plans to increase the number of parcel lockers in the UK to 14,000 by 2025. Although Yodel is currently operating at a loss, InPost plans to improve performance through investment and better operational management, aiming to be profitable within a year. 




Poland's e-invoice revolution


The National e-Invoice System (KSeF) is fast approaching in Poland, and the Ministry of Finance is ready to implement it as planned. In Pagero's guide, you will find answers to 10 key questions about KSeF implementation, the main challenges, and practical tips. KSeF transition might sound like a headache, but Pagero's here to help!


Download the guide: pagero.com




Revolut has over 4.5 million customers in Poland


The British-origin challenger bank Revolut is celebrating crossing 4.5 million customers - mark in Poland. That makes Poland their 4th largest territory, after the UK, France and Spain and a definite leader in the CEE region. In terms of employment, Revolut has over 1,000 employees in Poland which is the 5th largest headcount in the group. Revolut is now planning to open a branch in Poland, expand to mortgage loans and add public transport services to the app (as a first market globally). They want to reach 5 million clients in Poland during this year and worldwide Revolut has 52.5 million customers. 


Source: biznes.pap.pl 



Unilever’s plans in Poland 


Unilever recognizes Poland as their key market in Europe and considers to invest more in it. The sources say the company will spend hundreds of millions of euros to expand production and logistics. Unilever is rolling out an 800 million EUR productivity program and restructuring the internal organization. In addition, last year they published a report about the particular success of home & hygiene products volume growth in Poland. Moreover, Warsaw will become the group's global purchasing hub.


Source: pb.pl, unilever.com 



Kulczyk investments partners with Nvidia to build a supercomputer


Kulczyk investments and Nvidia has entered into a strategic partnership aiming to build a supercomputer in Poznań. It will be one of the TOP 10 computers in Europe. 


Source: bankier.pl 



Funding news


  • A Polish biotech company called Fresh Inset got 2.7 million EUR from investors to grow its business. 

  • Polish startup Ingenix has raised 9 million EUR to develop AI technology that simulates clinical trial results and increases their efficiency

  • Polish cryptocurrency platform ZND got 20 million USD funding

  • BidFinance got 7 million EUR from 4growth VC

  • HiproMine, Polish biotechnological company, got 7.4 million PLN from PARP




Temu overtakes Allegro in e-commerce



In March 2025, the Chinese platform Temu overtook Allegro for the first time in terms of user numbers in Poland, with 18.11 million users compared to Allegro's 17.84 million. While users spend more time on Allegro, Temu is gaining popularity thanks to its low prices and wide product selection. In third place was Media Expert with 11.78 million users. Despite higher marketing expenses, Allegro was unable to maintain its position as the leader.


Moreover, Temu has signed a deal with DHL in terms of logistics cooperation in Poland and Europe. 


Source: bankier.pl 



Another new Chinese car brand in Poland


Chinese Xpeng cars have landed in Poland. The distributor in Poland will be Inchcape and the first store will be in Warsaw. Poland will be the 15th market for Xpeng in Europe. 


Source: inwestycje.pl 



New partnership between Creotech Instruments and Thorium Space


Creotech Instruments and Thorium Space have entered into a strategic partnership to build the first Polish telecommunications satellite, which aims to ensure Poland's sovereignty in satellite communications. The project focuses on developing modern technologies that will strengthen national security and enable the creation of a domestic telecommunications system in space. The collaboration is centered around building satellites for MEO and GEO orbits, developing satellite platforms, and optical communication systems. The project will be carried out in cooperation with public institutions and the government, with the goal of creating technologies aligned with the country's interests.


Source: biznes.pap.pl 



Boosteroid plans to invest half a billion USD in Poland


Boosteroid, a cloud gaming provider, has announced investments of up to 500 million USD in the development of its IT infrastructure in Poland. The company’s local technology partner is Polcom, which provides infrastructure and technical support. The investment started with 3 million USD to launch the server environment, and in the future, the company plans to allocate 250-500 million USD for further expansion. Boosteroid aims to reach 100 million active users worldwide by 2030, with 3-5% of that number coming from Poland. Over the next 5-7 years, the company plans to invest 8-10 billion USD in infrastructure, with 3-5% of that amount allocated to Poland. 


Source: boosteroid.com 



Xtreme brands and bValue fund join forces for expansion


Xtreme Fitness Gyms has started ambitious expansion, supported by a 43 million PLN (around 10 million EUR) investment from the bValue fund. The company plans to open 270 new gyms over the next three years, also in international markets. Additionally, the company aims to expand the Xtreme KiDS concept as they see a growing demand for educational and sports spaces for children. Xtreme Brands currently operates over 100 fitness clubs in Poland.


Source: linkedin.com 



Strabag acquires a road maintenance company


Strabag has signed a deal to buy Zaberd, a road maintenance company that has 15% market share in Poland of maintenance service of motorways, national roads and expressways. 


Source: inwestycje.pl 



Toms Group increases production in Poland


Chocolate manufacturer Toms Group from Denmark moves more production to Nowa Sol and generates over 100 new jobs. The investment is an expansion of the current production plant, from 11,000m2 to 27,000m2. 




CLN in talks regarding sale of plants in Poland and Brazil


According to Puls Biznesu, Italian automotive parts manufacturer Coils Lamiere Nastri (CLN) is in talks about selling its plants in Poland (3) and Brazil to its main contractor, Stellantis. The potential sale is part of the company's debt restructuring plan. The main customer for parts produced is Stellantis, along with BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes. Both parties have not commented on the negotiations.


Source: pb.pl 



Negotiations on the sale of Santander Bank Polska


Banco Santander plans to sell its stake in Santander Bank Polska to focus on the American markets. It currently holds 62.2% of the shares, and the new investor may be required to purchase a larger stake. The transaction requires the approval of the Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) and may necessitate a public offer, allowing minority shareholders to participate in the transaction at a more favorable price.




PLN 1 billion deal in the windows market


Realty Income (a US fund) bought two production plants of Eko-Okna for over 1 billion PLN (around 233 million EUR). The deal type "sale and leaseback", and thus providing Eko-Okna a cash injection and needed financing to develop the operations. 


Source: pb.pl 



Retail chains: 


  • Dino plans further expansion



The Dino supermarket chain, owned by billionaire Tomasz Biernacki, ended 2024 with 2,688 stores and an 8% share of the grocery market. Last year alone, 283 new stores were opened, and 8,000 new employees were hired. During 2025 they opened 58 new stores. The company plans to continue growing - expanding its store network, building new distribution centers, and developing its own meat processing facilities (DINO differs from Lidl and Biedronka by having traditional “meat desks”). Acquisitions of other companies are being considered only in exceptional cases. In 2024, personnel costs rose to over 3.5 billion PLN (around 815 million EUR), mainly due to the increase in staff to nearly 50,000 and higher average wages.


In 2024, Dino Group recorded a 14.1% increase in revenue, reaching 29.3 billion PLN (around 6.8 billion EUR). Dino is also investing in renewable energy sources - 92% of its stores are now equipped with photovoltaic installations. 


Source: grupadino.pl 



  • New Żabka logistics centre in Kąty Wrocławskie


Żabka opened its new logistics center in Kąty Wrocławskie (near Wrocław in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship). The facility, the most advanced in the company's infrastructure, features innovative solutions such as an automated refrigeration system and technologies supporting energy efficiency and transportation optimization. The aim of the investment is to increase operational efficiency, improve the environmental footprint, and provide better service to stores. The opening of the facility will be an opportunity to showcase its role in the further development of the network.


Source: zabka.pl 



  • Action now has 400 stores in Poland



The discount chain Action has opened its 400th store in Poland, located in Poznań at Galeria Panorama. This is the tenth store in Poznań. Action introduces 150 new products to its offer each week, with more than two-thirds priced below 10 PLN. 


Source: dlahandlu.pl 



  • Carrefour joins the price race with Lidl and Biedronka


According to news sources, Carrefour is starting a price battle with Lidl and Biedronka and planning a rapid expansion in the coming years. The chain has lowered the prices of over 500 products and introduced more attractive discounts. “The priority is a better balance between regular and promotional sales, as well as the development of the loyalty program in collaboration with the Payback system”, says Tomasz Waligórski, CEO of Carrefour Poland.




  • Lidl will be the first chain to have bottle deposit machines in Poland


The deposit system in Poland will be officially launched in October, but Lidl is showing a way by installing bottles and can deposit machines to all of its 950 stores.




  • Aldi Accelerates Expansion in Poland


Aldi plans to intensify its expansion in Poland. In 2025, the company will open at least 60 new stores, bringing the total number of locations to over 400. The network will also invest in a third distribution center, which will be located in the Mazovian Voivodeship. It will join the existing warehouses in Chorzów and Lisim Ogonie near Bydgoszcz. The company will particularly focus on developing its private label offerings.






More funding from BGK for PGE



PGE (Poland’s biggest energy company) got 2.8 billion EUR in loans from BGK (a state bank). Most of the money, 2.2 billion EUR, will help upgrade power grids - so Poland can use more renewable energy. The rest, 590 million EUR, will improve railway energy systems. BGK supports big projects to grow Poland’s economy, while PGE makes 41% of the country’s electricity and serves 5.5 million people. It also invests in clean energy and better infrastructure.


Source: media.bgk.pl 



In summer Poland might import more electricity from abroad



At the beginning of 2025, Poland produced 5% more electricity than the year before. At the same time, energy use dropped by 2% - this helped Poland export more electricity. It had a negative effect on prices for local buyers, but the producers got benefits from the shift. Poland exported most electricity to Slovakia, while importing mainly from Germany and Sweden. Weather and gas prices will decide if Poland stays a net exporter. In summer, Poland might import more energy, but in winter, it could export again. This trade helps avoid energy waste.




Baltic Power - Polish transition to cleaner power generation


Poland, alongside four other EU countries, is pushing ahead with onshore wind projects to boost energy independence and transition away from fossil fuels. In offshore wind development, Baltic Power became the first company in Poland to progress wind power generation in the Baltic Sea. The project plans to provide clean energy to nearly one million households and is expected to be operational by 2026. Additionally, construction of an offshore service terminal has started in Łeba, funded by Poland’s National Recovery Plan (KPO). Combined, these efforts aim to strengthen Poland’s energy security and diversify its energy sources.


We recommend reading the following English sources for more detailed information.



Solar and wind power projects brought by Portuguese partners



EDP (Portuguese energy company) is expanding its renewable projects in Poland. The company signed a 15-year deal with Cemex Polska to install 14 MWp of solar panels at eight Cemex plants. The first solar energy supply is expected in Q2 2025. Cemex has been using renewables since 2021 and already gets 30% of its energy from wind and solar farms. Moreover, EDP has installed nearly 270 MWp of solar power in Poland, helping the country shift to cleaner energy. Ocean Winds (OW), owned by EDP Renewables and ENGIE, focuses on offshore wind energy. In Poland, OW chose Polish company CRIST Offshore to build a 2 thousand tonne offshore electrical substation (OSS) for its BC-Wind project, which will power nearly half a million homes. The OSS will be finished in 2027. This was the first time a Polish company was selected as a main contractor in an investment like this. 




950 million EUR EU funding for energy storage projects 


The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management opened applications for grants and loans dedicated to energy storage projects with a total budget of 950 million EUR. Grants cover up to 45% of costs, with extra help for small and medium businesses. Loans can fund 100% of costs. Companies can apply from April 4 to May 30, 2025. Projects must build energy storage units with at least 2 MW power and 4 MWh capacity. The goal is to improve Poland's energy security and make better use of renewable energy. Only businesses can apply.


Source: gov.pl



ENGIE stops using coal in two plants


ENGIE Polska will stop using coal for heating by the end of 2025. This change is part of a big plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and meet EU energy rules. Two heating plants in Słupsk and Złotów are switching to biomass, waste heat, and renewable energy. In Słupsk, a heat pump will use treated wastewater to provide 20% of the city’s heat. In Złotów, new biomass units will replace coal. Together these changes will cut CO2 by 90% and make heating more ecofriendly and reliable.


Source: 300gospodarka.pl 



Solar and wind power across Europe with Eiffel IG


Eiffel Investment Group gave 20 million EUR to Envolve Capital to support 17 solar and wind farms in Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland. The total capacity is 177 MW, with 160 MW from solar and 17 MW from wind. The first three projects started in late 2024, and all will finish by 2026. Eiffel’s funding helps build green energy infrastructure and reduce carbon dioxide effects.


Source: eiffel-ig.com 



Enea buying wind fams


Energy company Enea Nowa Energy plans to double its investments in 2025 compared to last year. The company will focus on renewable energy projects, including wind and solar farms. It aims to add 1.29 GW of green energy by 2026. 


The company bought six wind farms with a total capacity of 83.5 MW from European Energy 6, located in Zachodnipomorskie and part of the deal includes also 25 MW photovoltaic farm. The total value of the deal can be up to 914 million PLN.


Enea Nowa energy also buys shares of Radan Northwind from Greenvolt Power Group, another 80MW investment in wind power. This deal was valued at 750 million PLN. 


Sources: ir.enea.pl, bankier.pl 



PGE power stations get upgraded


PGE Dystrybucja signed an important deal with NFOŚiGW to upgrade four power stations in Łódź Voivodeship. The project costs over 23.8 million EUR (14.3 million EUR funded by the grant). The upgrades will improve grid reliability and increase capacity for new projects. This is PGE’s third grant under the “Zero-emission energy system” program. The company serves 5.5 million customers and has a big influence.


Source: isbiznes.pl 



Warnings of cyberattacks on energy systems and photovoltaics


According to the article by WNP, there are now 1,100 cyberattacks per week on energy systems, globally, and this number can double soon. Especially vulnerable are decentralized photovoltaic installations.


Source: wnp.pl 





New "First keys" plan helps families to buy a home


A new housing program called "Pierwsze Klucze" will help people buy homes on the secondary market. The program offers financial support for 120 loan payments. From 2026, only 10 thousand applications will be accepted each quarter and the program is expected to end in 2030. It replaces older programs like "Safe Loan 2%" and focuses on families with children. Loans will have fixed interest rates for five years. Buyers can also get guarantees for part of the loan. There are some rules to the program, like limits on property prices and income levels, therefore it seems to benefit mostly people with stable job places that can be predicted for 5+ years.


Source: infor.pl 



Housing loans increased, but there are more applicants in 2025


At the beginning of 2025 prices for second-hand apartments dropped in Poland’s five largest cities, but the number of sales did not increase. Apartments in Łódź seem to have the cheapest prices and Warsaw to have the highest. However, by March, interest in housing loans grew significantly, over 106 thousand EUR (7% increase). Around 37 thousand applications were submitted - that’s 24.6% more than in 2024. Lower property prices in other areas, particularly in places like Trójmiasto now encourage buyers to move out from the capital region.


Source: metrohouse.pl 



Housing market data 


  • In March, 844,000 apartments were under construction, 3.8% more vs. last year (GUS)

  • During the Q1, permits granted to developers were down 20% y/y (around 40000)

  • During the Q1, developers started construction of 36,500 apartments (down 13% y/y)

  • During the Q1, 46,000 apartments were finalized, -4.6% y/y (including developers and individual investors)

  • Prices of apartments increased 2.1% y/y in the secondary market among 16 big cities. 

  • Rent prices increased 2.2% in average y/y

  • Average rent price of a flat of 40-60m2 was 3,700 PLN in Warsaw and 2,700 PLN in 6  other cities




CPK contracts announced



The Central Communication Port (CPK) has announced the winner of the tender for the construction of a high-speed railway tunnel in Łódź. The contract, valued at 1.76 billion PLN (around 411 million EUR), was awarded to Porr. The 4.6 km long tunnel will connect the Łódź Fabryczna station with the Retkinia district and it will be the longest and widest railway tunnel in Poland. This investment is a crucial part of the high-speed "Igrek" line connecting Warsaw to Wrocław and Poznań, allowing trains to travel at speeds of up to 160 km/h. The tunnel's construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2029, with the entire "Igrek" high-speed railway line expected to be finished by 2035, reducing travel time from Warsaw to Wrocław and Poznań to approximately 100 minutes.


Another contract was awarded to a consortium of Mirbud and Kobylarnia. They won the design and construction of road systems for the CPK airport, worth over 2 billion EUR.


Sources: cpk.pl, biznes.pap.pl 




WZL-1 to receive funding for service center


According to news sources, Polish WZL-1 got approval to build a service center for Abrams tank engines. Most likely, they will need a maintenance contract with the Ministry of Defense to fund this project. For Apache helicopters, they will get help from an American offset program. WZL-1 also plans to expand its services and hire more workers as part of Poland's effort to modernize its military equipment. The new center will support the maintenance of advanced vehicles and helicopters, improving the country’s defense capabilities.


Source: defence24.com 



Simplified decision making and document flow for the Polish army


Poland’s government approved a new law to speed up defense projects. The law simplifies rules for building military units and systems like "Tarcza Wschód." Current procedures take too long, sometimes up to six years. The new rules will cut this time significantly. Companies can now use one certificate for many projects instead of repeating paperwork. Public procurement rules won’t apply to key defense investments, so this will help the army improve national security. The law will now go to parliament for approval.


Source: gov.pl 



New ammunition plant in Poland, mainly for export



A large-caliber ammunition production plant will be built in the Świętokrzyskie region, with an investment worth 100 million PLN (around 23 million EUR) by AMC Global Group. The facility will assemble 155 mm shells using imported components and is expected to produce up to 120,000 units annually, primarily for export. The ammunition will not be used by the Polish Armed Forces due to lack of certification for Krab and K9 howitzers. Production is set to begin in 2027, and the highly automated plant will employ around 80 people. This investment is part of broader efforts to develop Poland's domestic ammunition industry.




South Korean missiles manufacturing in Poland


WB Group from Poland and Hanwha Aerospace from South Korea signed a contract to make CGR-080 missiles (and the factory will be built) in Poland. These missiles are used in Homar-K rocket launchers and have a range of 80 km. The first missiles will be ready in three years. Poland will also produce 60 Chunmoo launchers that NATO countries are interested in buying. The project will help Poland’s defense and allow faster delivery of ammunition in the future and streighten relations with South Korea.




Bankrupted Rafako will have a fresh start as military production site


Poland plans to turn Rafako, a company in Racibórz, into a defense production site. Rafako used to make boilers but faced financial problems for the past few years. The government will invest money to help remake the company into production of armored vehicle parts and possibly artillery systems. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the Silesia region has good potential for production of defense equipment for Poland and Europe. The “rebranding” plan includes simplified procedures to speed up the beginning of production.




Creotech satellite program gets over 50 million EUR from ESA


The European Space Agency (ESA) will invest around 50 million EUR in Poland's satellite program. The program will be led by Creotech Instruments, a well-known Polish space tech company. The deal is part of the CAMILA project and includes three observation satellites (radar and optical), as well as ground systems for data control. The satellites will help observe Earth and manage space missions. The CAMILA project will run from 2025 to 2027. Creotech also works on other programs, like MIKROGLOB for the military.


Source: creotech.pl 



PGO developed 155mm missiles, to be made in Poland


Defence company PGO says in its statement it has developed a 155mm missile. “War efforts in Ukraine changed the perception of barrel artillery, which was considered declining before the outbreak of the conflict compared to rocket artillery. Meanwhile, it proved its firepower in the modern battlefield, and the 155mm caliber proved to be a barrier difficult to break. That is why more than two years of cooperation with the Military Institute of Armament Technology resulted in the development of a fully Polish 155 mm missile corps. and today we are starting with the construction of prototypes" – says Andrzej Bulanowski, Vice President of the Management Board for Commercial Affairs at PGO S.A.


Source: pgosa.pl 



10 billion zlotys for East Shield cooperations


Construction of the so-called East Shield will be another billion scale project. The ministry of Defense has signed a cooperation deal with State Forests and the National Center for Agricultural support to start the construction of modern fortifications, warehouses, access roads, logistics points, military and civil infrastructure to protect Poland. 


Source: gov.pl 



New defense sector factories being built


The article by money.pl summarizes new defense sector factories by Jelcz, Dezamet and Mesko group.





Notes from 1st Finnish-Polish Business Summit  “Market Entry to Poland: How to Access CEE Powerhouse?”



Business Finland held the first Finnish-Polish Business Summit on April 10th 2025, in Helsinki. Key figures included Ms. Päivi Laine, Ambassador of Finland to Poland, and Mr. Tomasz Marek Chłoń, Acting Head of Mission at the Embassy of Poland to Finland. The event focused on helping Finnish companies enter the Polish market, with opportunities in mergers, acquisitions and EU funding. Presentations included also the success story of Fortum Group (a major Finnish energy company), introduction of Scandinavian-Polish Chamber of Commerce, Polish market overview by Antti Rahikka, overview on funding possibilities and panel discussion. 




New Managing Director of YIT Poland 


Leszek Stankiewicz became the new Managing Director and President of YIT Poland on April 9, 2025. He has over 25 years of experience in top management. He worked as CFO and board member in companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Before joining YIT, he was Vice President and CFO at Dom Development Group. At Dom Development, he helped expand the company and set up Dom Construction, Poland’s largest building contractor. 


YIT is Finland’s biggest developer and operates also in CEE markets – Poland, Czechia and Slovakia. In Poland YIT has projects in Warsaw, Gdańsk, and Kraków.


Source: linkedin.com 



Fortum shopping in Poland


On April 24th, the Finnish energy giant announced they have signed a deal to acquire Orange Energia in Poland. The deal value is max PLN 120m (~28 million EUR) and expected closing is this summer.  Fortum has been in the Polish market over 20 years and employed in their Polish locations almost 800 people as per end of 2024. Fortum's revenues in Poland were ~1.4 billion EUR in 2024. This is 25% of the company's total revenues (5.8 billion EUR)!


Sources: fortum.com, linkedin.com 



Arnon Poland in Forbes diamond ranking


Arnon Poland has been recognized in the Forbes Diamonds 2025 ranking. The annual list is compiled by the editors of Forbes Poland in cooperation with Dun & Bradstreet.It highlights the most dynamically developing companies in Poland, evaluating businesses based on their average annual increase in value over the past three years.  Arnon Poland was honored in the small company category, for organizations with up to 50 million PLN in annual revenue.


Source: linkedin.com 



Finnlines celebrating 1 year of the new Polish-Swedish route


“The shipping company Finnlines launched a new ro-pax service between Malmö, Sweden and Świnoujście, Poland in April 2024. Since then, the company has maintained daily departures in both directions, transporting various types of freight, private passengers and professional drivers.


”Expectations have been well met. The new connection between these two ports complements our service and route network exceptionally well. At the same time, we have also improved our services at the ports,” says Antonio Raimo, Line Manager at Finnlines.”


Source: finnlines.com 



Poland – the European growth engine


Read an article by Spondeo founder Tuomas Asunmaa on the latest FinnCham newsletter.




Business Breakfast at the Embassy of Finland


Ambassador Päivi Laine, alongside Finnish Trade Guild Chairman Jon Lenck, Scandinavian-Polish Chamber of Commerce ( SPCC ), welcomed Finnish companies for a business breakfast and discussion on Poland's place in the changing geopolitical environment. The discussion was led by a guest speaker, Adam Jasser, News Chief at TVP WORLD.


Source: linkedin.com 



Job offer at the Finnish Embassy in Warsaw


The Finnish Embassy in Warsaw is hiring an assistant for consular and administrative tasks. The role starts on July 1st, 2025, or soon after, with a two-year contract. Applicants need to speak fluent Finnish and English, have basic Polish skills and experience in finance or similar fields.


Read more: finlandabroad.fi 



HKFoods Considers Changes in Its Production Structure in Poland


HKFoods has started investigations regarding the future of its production unit in Świnoujście, including the possibility of selling it. The goal is to strengthen the group's balance sheet and increase financial flexibility. The company has undergone restructuring, selling its operations in the Baltic states, Sweden, and Denmark. The unit in Poland specializes in bacon production, with estimated revenue of 70 million EUR for 2025. It employs approximately 300 people.


Source: hkfoods.com





First round of presidential elections on 18th May



Poland will soon get a new president. Current one, Andrzej Duda was elected for his first term in 2015 and re-elected in 2020. As the constitution does not allow more terms, Poland will get a new president this summer.


The first round will be held on Sunday, 18th May, followed by a second round on 1st June (none of the candidates have a chance to be elected at 1st round). 


Current leader in the polls is Rafal Trzaskowski from the PO/KO (the ruling camp) who was Duda’s second round opponent in 2020, losing by a narrow margin. He has currently received over 30% of support. His most likely companion for the second round is Karol Nawrocki, backed by PiS party, with support around 25%. He is a candidate that came outside of daily politics, as Duda in 2015. Right-wing candidate, Slawomir Mentzen, lost his momentum in March and is now under 15%. 4th in polls is Sejm spokesman Szymon Holownia, well below 10%. In total there are 13 candidates to be selected on 18th May. 


It is worth noticing that in Poland the President has substantial political power – veto on the legislation. This is currently blocking Prime Minister Tusk to push reforms, which means that the elections really matter on both sides. If Trzaskowski will be selected, the ruling camp can speed up with their programs. 


Worth remembering is that in Poland a lot of things happens during last weeks. During the 2020 elections, PO was losing in polls with another candidate, and Trzaskowski came into picture a few weeks before the first round, and made a massive shift in the campaigns. In 2015, then-sitting-president Bronislaw Komorowski had over 50% support still a few months before the elections, and ended up losing to a total-political-stranger Andrzej Duda that PiS introduced just a couple of months before the 1st round.


We encourage you to read Notes from Poland article for more election nuances, including election promises by candidates, summary of the debates and other information. 


Read more: notesfrompoland.com 



Filling job gaps: hiring from Asia and Latin America


Poland is facing a worker shortage. Many Ukrainians plan to leave Poland and return home. Currently around 1 million immigrant workers are helping to cover workforce shortages in important areas like construction, logistics, manufacturing and food services. Companies now hire workers especially  from Asia and Latin America. Different sources say Poland might lose up to 2 million workers by 2035, also due to the aging population. 


Source: money.pl 



What bonuses do Polish workers crave the most?


A study shows that over half of Polish workers value benefits like gym cards and private health insurance. However, 40% don’t know their actual worth. Many workers (45%) feel the benefits offered don’t meet their needs. Popular benefits include health care, gift cards, and flexible hours. Workers also want extra paid vacation days. Over half say benefits influence their job choices. But only 25% of employers plan pay raises, while 58% of workers want to discuss them. Companies might need to adjust benefits to match workers’ real needs.


Source: upbonus.pl 



Clean Air program will affect import and local production 


The Ministry of Climate in Poland plans to limit subsidies under the "Czyste Powietrze" program to devices made in Europe. This could mean global brands might leave the Polish market. The plan may affect companies producing home appliances and heat pumps. The Ministry believes the change will support European manufacturers and improve air quality, but obviously non-European players are arguing with this decision. 




1.3 million burning ovens in Poland



85% of the air pollution originates from burning coal, wood and other stuff in old, outdated ovens, and there are 1.3 millions of those in Poland. According to a study done in 2018, the health costs of the smog are 15 billion PLN per year. Smog was again a problem and topic this winter.


Source: 300gospodarka.pl 



Government can pay half the price of your new bike


Poland plans a program to help people buy electric bikes. Adults can get up to 50% of the cost back. For regular bikes, the limit is about 575 EUR. For cargo bikes, it is about 1 thousand Euros. The bike must be new and made in the EU. It must meet safety rules and have a special sticker. Buyers need to register the bike with the police. The program runs from 2025 to 2029. People can apply online. The money is paid after buying the bike. If the bike is stolen, buyers can apply for help again. Rules may still change.


Source: infor.pl 





Poland provided the most of modern Starlinks


Poland sent 5 thousand new Starlink Enterprise terminals to Ukraine. This brings the total number of terminals sent by Poland to 29,500. Ukraine now has over 50 thousand terminals, thanks to help from international partners. Poland provided the most.


Source: bankier.pl 



Fozzy Group open first Carrefour store in Poland


Fozzy Group, Ukraine’s largest grocery retailer, has expanded to the Polish market by opening its first Carrefour store in Poznań. This venture is managed through IDKFA IDCLIP, a company created in partnership with Polish manager Maciej Gawroński, who has over 20 years of experience and has worked with Fozzy’s logistics since 2017. Fozzy Holdings Limited owns 90% of IDKFA IDCLIP, while Gawroński owns 10%. Known for Silpo supermarkets, Fozzy Group stands out for its uniquely designed stores that look like works of art. For example, one of the uniquely styled Silpos is "Cyberculture" (Lviv), where cashier zones resemble microchips or have a sign "404 cashier", and the beverage area is styled as a server room.


Source: 24tv.ua, silpo.ua 



Foodex24 is now in Łódź


Foodex24, part of Ukraine’s Best Market, opened its first store in Łódź, Poland. The store, called Foodex Express, is a modern convenience shop for quick shopping. Foodex24 started in 2020 as an online platform by IT entrepreneur Vladyslav Savchenko. In 2022, Best Market bought Foodex24. Best Market runs 22 stores in Poland, including in cities like Kraków, Warsaw, and Gdańsk. Foodex Express is different from their first store in Bydgoszcz, which supports online sales. The company plans to grow Foodex Express into a national chain of modern stores.


Source: zaxid.net 



EU ends duty-free trade deal with Ukraine starting June 2025


Poland will not extend its duty-free trade deal with Ukraine. The EU plans to protect its market while helping the neighbour in other ways. This agreement started during the war to help Ukraine export goods. It will end on June 5, 2025. Poland’s Minister Adam Szłapka said Ukraine can now use its ports and return to normal trade. Poland, as the EU Council President (until June 30th 2025), leads the discussions now and the goal is to balance Ukraine’s needs with the interests of EU countries. New proposals will come from Brussels soon.




Ukrainian workforce in Poland


About 4.8% of workers in Poland are Ukrainians. Their employment adds 0.11 EUR to 0.22 billion EUR yearly to Poland's GDP. Over 700 thousand Ukrainians work legally in Poland, which is 150 thousand more than at the end of 2021. Most Ukrainians who moved before 2022 have over 90% employment. Those arriving during the war have 70%. Many are working in industries like construction, transport, and services. Most don’t get extra benefits, and their work strengthens Poland’s economy and social security system.


Source: wz.lviv.ua 





International Industrial Fair: ITM Industry Europe 2025, June 3-6, Poznań




Urban Future 2025 (UF25), May 21-23, Łódź 


  • Focus: urbanism and development of better cities

  • When: Vienna House, May 21-23, 2025

  • Where: Ogrodowa 17, 91-065 Łódź

  • Registration: https://urban-future.org/ 



Smart City Forum, June 11-12, Rzeszów-Jasionka




Industrial and Infrastructure Construction trade fair, May 6-8, Łódź




Laser and Optical Technologies trade fair, May 13-15, Gdańsk




Industrial Automation and Robotics trade fair, May 13-15, Warsaw




Food Trade Fair, May 20-22, Kraków




Filtration Technology and Filters trade fair, May 13-15, Gdańsk




Chemical Industry Technologies trade fair, May 13-15, Gdańsk




Energy Storage and Power Solutions trade fair, May 20-22, Kraków




Cooling Technologies trade fair, May 20-22, Kraków




Optics, Optometry, and Ophthalmology trade fair, May 27-29, Poznań




Windows, Doors, Flooring Technology and Products: three trade fairs, June 3-5, Wrocław




Autotechnika (Automotive Technology) trade fair, June 10-12, Gdańsk




Concrete Technologies in Industry and Construction trade fair, June 10-12, Gdańsk




Furniture and Furniture Components and Technology: two trade fairs, June 10-12, Wrocław




Consumer Electronics trade fair, June 13-15, Warsaw



 
 
 

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