14-16 April 2026
12th International Food & Drink,
Food Processing and Packaging Exhibition
EXPO XXI Warszawa, 12/14 I. Prądzyńskiego Street
14-16 April 2026
12th International Food & Drink, Food Processing and Packaging Exhibition
EXPO XXI Warszawa, 12/14 I. Prądzyńskiego Street
Changing lifestyles, growing ecological awareness, and new technologies are influencing how and what we eat. Food consumption in Poland is undergoing changes, and consumer expectations are becoming increasingly complex. What trends are shaping the level of consumption in Poland? Will responsible consumption become the norm? What does the Polish consumer look like today, and how will they look in the future?
The Polish food market is undergoing constant transformation due to the changing needs of consumers. In 2024, food consumption shows signs of recovery after the declines experienced in previous years. According to the PMR Market Experts report, the market value will grow by 5% annually until 2029. The ongoing growth is driven by rising wages and the improvement of the country’s economic situation, resulting in a decrease in the number of people limiting their purchases due to prices.
In the context of the daily life of Poles, food consumption not only satisfies basic needs but also constitutes a significant element of culture, tradition, and national identity.
In recent years, we have observed an increase in the importance of responsible consumption, which is becoming a significant element in the food market. Consumers’ awareness of the impact of diet on health and the environment is leading to changes in their purchasing preferences and the development of trends such as plant-based diets.
Additionally, more and more people are paying attention to the quality of products and their origin, choosing sustainable and local food. According to a report prepared by the Polish Association of Sustainable Agriculture “ASAP” and Accenture Research, as many as 85% of respondents declare that when grocery shopping, they choose products that positively affect their health and the health of their loved ones. 79% of consumers want to buy more higher-quality products, and 75% are interested in products from sustainable agriculture.
Another value that is gaining importance is the issue of eco-friendly packaging. Increased awareness of the negative impact of plastic on the environment is causing consumers to more frequently choose biodegradable or recyclable packaging. Therefore, products packaged in glass or paper are gaining popularity.
Poles are also paying attention to whether a product comes from a local producer. This not only supports the national economy but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transport. Another important criterion in conscious consumer choices is quality certifications and various types of labels. Certifications such as “Bio,” “Fair Trade,” or “Eco” indicate that the product meets specific quality standards and was produced in accordance with sustainable development principles. For many consumers, these certifications are a guarantee that the product is not only healthy, but also comes from a responsible supply chain.
Year by year, more Poles are choosing to stop or reduce meat consumption. The plant-based alternatives market in Poland is growing rapidly – as indicated by the ProVeg Polska report “Plant-Based Food in Poland”, already 24% of Polish consumers follow a flexitarian diet, which involves occasional meat consumption while maintaining a plant-based foundation. Additionally, over 6% follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, and 12% of respondents plan to try a vegetarian diet in the near future.
By 2040, the share of plant-based substitutes is expected to rise to 25%. This growth is partly driven by increasing health awareness and the growing availability of plant-based products in stores. Nevertheless, in 2024, meat consumption in Poland showed signs of recovery after previous declines. The value of the meat and sausage market increased by 3.6% in value terms, reaching 34 billion PLN. However, it is anticipated that by 2040, the share of traditional meat will decrease in favor of laboratory-grown and plant-based meat. This shift is also related to the desire to reduce CO2 emissions, as Marian Owerko, CEO of FoodWell, states: “Meat substitutes are an extremely important category for our climate because cows produce 50% of methane”.
Interest in plant-based alternatives to milk and its products is also growing, as reflected in sales statistics. NielsenIQ market research data shows that sales of plant-based milk and cheese in Poland increased by 17% in 2022 to 387.1 million PLN and 76.8 million PLN, respectively. Between 2020 and 2022, the volume of plant-based milk sales increased by 39%, while animal milk sales decreased by 1%.
Plant-based beverages currently account for approximately 77% of the entire plant-based product category in Poland. In the first half of 2024, more than 30 million liters of these products were sold, demonstrating their growing popularity. Currently, the leader in the plant-based product category is Alpro, a Danone-owned brand, accounting for nearly one-third of the total category sales value (32.6%).
ProVeg Polska estimates that the value of the plant-based beverage market in Poland is around 120-126 million PLN. Forecasts indicate further growth of the plant-based alternatives market in Poland. These changes are the result of growing consumer awareness regarding health, ecology, and animal welfare. Producers are adapting to these trends by offering a wide range of plant-based products, which further increases their availability and attractiveness to consumers.
The digital transformation of consumption is changing the way Poles shop for groceries – they are increasingly turning to online solutions that offer not only convenience but also more advanced personalization. In the food industry, the omnichannel model, which combines online and offline shopping channels, is rapidly developing.
Mobile applications, which generate an increasing number of online orders, are also gaining in importance. In 2023, the value of the e-commerce market in Poland reached 92 billion PLN, of which approximately 64% of Poles, as indicated by a study by the Market Research and Opinion Agency SW Research, declared that they shop for groceries online.
The popularity of e-commerce grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In those challenging times, consumers were forced to choose safer methods of purchasing food. Additionally, shopping in physical stores was more difficult and time-consuming, prompting more customers to seek alternatives.
E-commerce in Poland has significant growth potential, and forecasts predict that its value may reach 192 billion PLN by 2028, representing an average annual growth of 8%. Mobile applications and shopping platforms play a major role in this transformation. By analyzing data on user preferences, they can accurately tailor the offer to the individual needs of consumers. Smart recommendations, loyalty programs, as well as convenience and quick shopping times, encourage users to opt for online shopping, thereby changing their consumption habits – shifting them from traditional stores to the digital space.
The level of consumption in Poland reflects a balance between traditional preferences and modern trends. In 2023, spending on food and non-alcoholic beverages accounted for 27.2% of total household expenditures. The previous year, it was slightly less, at 26.6%. However, the consumption of most basic food products has decreased. Experts from GUS believe that this could be influenced by increased spending on gastronomy and rising prices. This forces consumers to monitor their expenses more closely, leading to better meal planning, creating shopping lists, and looking for promotions.
According to the report “Health and Dietary Habits of Poles During High Inflation – MyBestPharm”, 37.3% of respondents spend 1500-2000 PLN per month on groceries. Another 21.4% allocate 2001-3000 PLN for this purpose, while slightly fewer, 19.4%, spend 1001-1500 PLN on food. Only 17.9% of respondents stated that they manage to stay within 1000 PLN, and 4% dedicate more than 3000 PLN per month to groceries.
The level of consumption in Poland also depends on the habits of a particular generation. The contrast between generations in Poland regarding food consumption is evident both in expenditure values and purchasing preferences. Young consumers, especially members of Generation Z (born after 1995) and Generation Y (the so-called Millennials), are more inclined to invest in ecological, functional products and those aligned with plant-based diets, even at the expense of higher prices. They often forgo spending on fashion or technology in favor of healthy food.
Data shows that people under the age of 35 are more likely to shop for food online, reach for premium segment products, and use mobile apps and loyalty programs, aligning with the broader trend of digital transformation in consumption. On the other hand, older generations, particularly those over 60 years old, are more likely to focus on brand loyalty, promotions, and local product origins when shopping. In this group, the in-store shopping model still prevails, and dietary choices are more strongly rooted in cultural habits. For many of them, food constitutes a significant part of the household budget, which may result from limited incomes and rising food prices. These changes are significant for producers and retailers, who must adjust their marketing and sales strategies to meet the needs of different age groups.
The emerging model of the future consumer is based on three pillars – personalization, responsibility, and awareness. Increasing technological capabilities – including artificial intelligence and data analysis – enable brands to more accurately tailor products and shopping experiences to individual preferences, values, or lifestyles.
At the same time, consumers, particularly from younger generations, are increasingly guided by ethical and environmental considerations. Over 60% of Poles declare that they avoid companies operating unethically, and one in three consciously chooses local, sustainable, or recycled products. This is a clear signal that the future of commerce will no longer be limited solely to price and quality, but transparency, sustainable supply chains, and the values represented by brands will play a significant role. Although the complete dominance of responsible consumption still seems distant, this direction is becoming increasingly relevant to all of us, and companies that do not align with the above expectations may struggle to succeed in the “consumer market of tomorrow”.
Food consumption in Poland is currently undergoing a transformation that goes far beyond simple purchasing decisions. Consumers are becoming increasingly demanding – they expect quality, ethical production, transparency, and the ability to choose. The food market must continuously adapt – invest in innovations, develop sustainable supply chains, and respond to the changing needs of various age and social groups. The future of consumption in Poland is a future that is responsible, individualized, and conscious, both in the context of health and climate or ethics. This is not just a trend but a direction that will define the relationship between consumers and brands for decades to come.
If you want to learn about the latest trends and innovations in the food industry, visit the WorldFood Poland exhibition. From sustainable products to plant-based alternatives – see how Polish consumer preferences are evolving. Meet experts and discover what else awaits in the food and beverage market – April 14-16, 2026, EXPO XXI Hall, Warsaw.
Sources:
ProVeg Polska Report “Plant-Based Food in Poland”
Report “On the Road to Sustainable Agriculture and Food. Summary of Activities of the Polish Association of Sustainable Agriculture ‘ASAP’ in 2020-2022”
Report “Sustainable Food in Poland. The Birth of a Mass Market as an Opportunity for the Food Industry”
Future Mind Report “Youth vs. Mobile. Staring at the Screen – Young Poles and Mobile Technology”
mybestpharm.com “Health and Dietary Habits of Poles During High Inflation: REPORT 2023”
nielsen.com
pmrmarketexperts.com