Polish immigrants promise opportunities for processors
As the UK's Polish community grows, so does the chance for food manufacturers to prosper.
Polish entrepreneur Romuald Damaz has built his business on the back of an influx of thousands of his compatriots into the UK. The Home Office estimates that more than 260,000 workers from Poland have come to the UK since 2004, making up 60% of all new Eastern European arrivals.
Damaz's The Polish Bakery sells seven different types of bread including Polish half wheat-half rye loaves, Polish doughnuts, cheese buns and custard buns. Business is increasing at such a rate that the company has had to move to larger premises in Park Royal, London and it is now looking to supply mainstream retail outlets.
The potential for Polish food products is illustrated by a recent survey conducted by Warsaw-based Arc Market and Opinion, which found that 55% of Poles employed in Britain have no plans to return home.
But it's not just specialist companies that can take advantage of the gap in the market. Polish ingredients firm Kamis stocks a variety of ingredients from across the globe and can advise manufacturers on Polish cuisine, as well as ingredients which specifically appeal to Poles.
"In the UK, we tend to think of Dijon, German and English mustards, but in Poland there are dozens," says a company spokesman. He claims that the addition of key Polish spices, such as juniper, buckwheat and mustard seeds could provide a Polish twist to manufacturers' standard products.
In addition, the firm can also supply own-label products using its own recipes.
And for manufacturers looking for a more hands-on approach, the Kamis team can work in-house, supporting processors that want to produce authentic, Polish meals. This allows manufacturers to save money by eliminating transport costs, which increase the price of Polish products, adds the firm.
