Imports from China totaled EUR 13.7 billion, lifting Beijing’s share of Polish goods inflows to 15.2 percent from 13.5 percent a year earlier.
The fastest increases were in computer equipment (+22.6 percent), parts for televisions and other consumer electronics (+19.2 percent) and passenger cars (+28.7 percent), PFR said in a quarterly report.
By contrast, Poland’s exports in euro terms were almost flat, edging up 0.1 percent to EUR 88.3 billion.
“The high import dynamic relative to exports is primarily due to a marked rise in Chinese purchases,” PFR analysts wrote, noting that consumer-electronics factories and car dealers replenished stocks as supply chains normalized.
Services still a bright spot
Poland continued to post strong services surpluses.
Services exports grew 10.3 percent to EUR 27.7 billion, while imports rose 12.6 percent to EUR 17 billion, helped by double-digit gains in transport and outbound tourism revenue, the fund said.
EU backdrop
The figures come as the European Union investigates alleged state subsidies for Chinese electric-vehicle makers and considers tightening customs inspections.
Warsaw’s data showed Chinese cars and parts were among Poland’s ten fastest-growing import categories, although they still trail German and South-Korean brands in volume.
Economists said the widening goods deficit is unlikely to derail Poland’s overall current-account balance, which has been buoyed by the services sector and EU structural funds.
Poland’s central bank projects full-year GDP growth above 3 percent, outpacing the euro zone average.
(jh)
Source: PAP