In an interview with Channel One of Polish Radio, Krajewski emphasized that the concept of state-owned stores could bring tangible benefits to farmers and consumers, but requires appropriate financial support.
“Managing such a food network would make it possible to shorten the supply chain. The idea is not bad, but to implement it, you need to find financing” – said the minister.
The head of the Ministry of Agriculture referred to the current problems with surpluses of agricultural production, recalling that successful harvests concern not only Poland, and the trade market “works both ways.” “We have a large surplus when it comes to exports, but as a large exporter we cannot completely close ourselves off to imports“- he noted.
Krajewski also recalled the former GS stores and agricultural circles that operated before 1989. In his opinion, it is worth considering a return to similar solutions.
“I will talk to the Prime Minister. I am talking to government ministers about finding such solutions. Food security is very important and we should find these measures” – explained the minister.
Return to the concept of a state food network
The idea of creating a state-owned chain of stores is not new. The previous government had already announced the establishment of the National Food Group (KGS), which was to perform a similar function.
“We remember when the National Food Group was created. Our predecessors talked about a large food holding that should be created, but these decisions were not fully understandable” – recalled Krajewski.
As he emphasized, KGS was established within the Ministry of State Assets, not the Ministry of Agriculture, which limited the influence of his predecessors on the direction of development of this initiative. Currently, KGS deals with, among others, production of sugar, cereals and starch.
Jarosław Kaczyński also previously referred to the idea of state-owned stores, suggesting in 2022 that the government could take over the Żabka chain to help Poles during high inflation.
In turn, Marek Sawicki, former Minister of Agriculture from PSL, today believes that the state should consider purchasing the Carrefour chain, which plans to sell its Polish stores.
