10-05-2025
Envoy lauds Lulu as Poland's food power meets Qatari demand
Satyendra Pathak
Doha
In a significant push to deepen trade ties and boost culinary diversity in Qatar, the Polish Ambassador to Qatar HE Tomasz Sadzinski has welcomed Lulu Hypermarket's initiative to promote food products from Poland, calling it 'timely and strategic.'
With Poland standing as a major powerhouse in the global food export market—shipping over €50 billion worth of food items last year—the ambassador expressed optimism about greater visibility and accessibility for Polish products in Qatar's growing retail landscape.
'Poland exported more than €50 billion worth of food products last year, and Qatar imported around QR150 million worth of Polish foodstuff alone. Lulu's campaign is not just a celebration of what we already offer, but a promise of better variety, better pricing, and stronger bilateral trade,' the envoy said. He highlighted Lulu's strategic move to establish a Polish sourcing and collection center, akin to its hubs in other parts of Europe, as a game-changer in ensuring consistent supply and quality.
He noted that Polish producers, known for their high-quality and ecological goods, stand to gain from this expanded access to the Qatari market. At the same time, Qatari consumers will benefit from an expanded range of Polish products, competitively priced and easily available.
While Lulu remains a key retail partner in this growing bilateral engagement, the ambassador emphasised that Poland is also collaborating with several other Qatari importers and retail players. 'We recently celebrated our National Day at Sheraton Grand Hotel and used the occasion to bring together a number of Qatari partners, including Ary Group, Charlotte, and Cosmo Trade, who are bringing in not only foodstuff but also beauty and wellness products from Poland,' he said.
Touching on the presence of Polish cuisine in Qatar, the ambassador acknowledged that while Polka remains the only dedicated Polish restaurant in the country, awareness and appreciation for Polish food are growing. 'Many hotel chefs in Qatar are already familiar with dishes like pierogi and placki. With initiatives like this one by Lulu, we are hopeful that more Polish restaurants will emerge in the future,' he said.
Addressing Qatar's significance in Poland's overall export strategy, he remarked, 'Qatar may not be the largest market in the region in terms of population, but it has a strong purchasing power and a consumer base that is curious and open to trying new things. That makes it a valuable partner for Polish exporters.'
In terms of overall trade, the envoy shared that the volume between the two countries reached $4.2 billion last year. A significant chunk of this is Poland's long-term LNG imports from Qatar, accounting for about 15 percent of Poland's annual energy consumption. On the other end, Poland's exports to Qatar reached around QR700 million, with food products constituting approximately QR150 million.
Besides food, Poland also exports machinery, engines, and electrical devices to Qatar—forming a diverse and steadily growing trade relationship. 'It's not just one category of goods dominating the exchange; it's a dynamic, evolving partnership. Initiatives like 'Poland Tastes Good' are just the beginning of a deeper engagement,' he concluded.
