Polish specialty: goose meat
Poland is counted among the largest goose producers in the European Union, with a stock numbering over 1 million. Poland breeds geese for meat, as well as for down and feathers.
The domestic goose population is relatively stable and exceeds 1 million animals. Geese produced in Poland are primarily intended for consumption. Geese down and feathers are also of great economic importance; they are used as a filler with excellent thermal properties.
Domestic production of geese
In Poland, the dominant goose breed is the White Kołuda Goose, which constitutes more than 90% of the domestic goose population. It is characterised by very good body weight gains, high disease resistance, low fat content and excellent meat taste.
In regional terms, goose production is located mainly in the
- Łódzkie (140.7 thousand birds),
- Mazowieckie (138.9 thousand birds),
- Podlaskie (133.5 thousand birds) and
- Wielkopolskie (129.6 thousand birds) voivodeships.
The total share of these four regions in the national goose stock amounted to 54%. Interest in goose meat production in Poland stems from the continuing export demand, as well as from the growing popularity of this meat among Polish consumers, who appreciate its taste, health and dietetic qualities.
Qualities of goose meat
Goose meat compares favourably with other types of meat. It is characterised by favourable proportions of fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6 which are so important for our health. Meat of geese contains a lot of protein, including all exogenous amino acids which cannot be synthesised by the human body on its own. This meat is a source of B vitamins, vitamins A and E, and many minerals which are necessary for the proper functioning of the body.
Export of Polish goose meat
Last year, the volume of foreign sales of goose meat by domestic entrepreneurs amounted to over 21 thousand tonnes (in product weight). In the first half of last year, domestic entrepreneurs sold more than 3000 tonnes of goose meat abroad, just as in the previous year. However, the situation in the last quarter of the year had a decisive impact on the results of goose sales abroad. Poland exports most goose meat to countries of the European Union. Germany has been invariably the main recipient of this meat for many years. Goose sold on the German market accounted for over 77% of export revenue from this assortment. Much smaller recipients of Polish goose meat are: Hong Kong, France and the Czech Republic.
Source: Polish food