The economic relationship between the UK and Poland has reached a new peak in 2026. As of the latest data released on 26 March 2026, total trade in goods and services between the two nations hit
£34.9 billion (for the four quarters ending Q3 2025), representing a robust 10.9% increase year-on-year.
Notably, UK exports to Poland surged by
26.4% to reach £14.1 billion, while imports from Poland grew to £20.8 billion. This trade is supported by a solid foundation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), with the UK's investment stock
in Poland rising to £6.9 billion at the start of 2025.
While Poland already accounts for nearly 20% of the EU’s total road freight performance, the next frontier is the seamless shift from road to rail. This 'modal shift' offers clear benefits: it
helps corporations reduce carbon emissions, control rising fuel costs, and achieve more reliable transit times. These advantages help companies meet ESG goals while navigating the complexities of
modern logistics.
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The Baltic Gateway: The ports of Gdańsk and Gdynia are undergoing massive rail expansions. A new intermodal terminal in the Port of Gdynia, co-funded by the EU and scheduled
for completion in H2 2026, will significantly increase rail-to-ship transshipment capacity, connecting the Baltic-Adriatic corridor with global trade routes.
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The Silk Road Hub: Małaszewicze, located on the Polish-Belarusian border, remains the most critical "dry port" on the New Silk Road. As part of the Silk Road Economic Belt,
it serves as the primary gateway for rail freight between Asia and the EU, offering a faster alternative to sea freight and a more stable option than maritime disruptions have been.
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Strategic Domestic Terminals: New investments, such as the PCC Intermodal terminal in Ropczyce (South-Eastern Poland), are bridging the gap between the eastern border and
Western European industrial hubs, facilitating "door-to-door" logistics that bypass road congestion.
Poland’s intermodal strategy is designed to provide optionality and resilience—two things global businesses crave in an era of geopolitical uncertainty.
Poland sits at the intersection of two major TEN-T Core Network Corridors:
- Baltic-Adriatic: Linking the North to Southern Europe (Italy, Slovenia).
- North Sea-Baltic: Connecting Polish ports directly to the industrial heartlands of Germany, Benelux, and France.
The Polish government and the EU have earmarked over €76 billion for the current budgetary period, with a heavy focus on the "Railway Program." This includes modernizing thousands of kilometers
of tracks to handle 750-meter-long trains, the European standard for cost-effective intermodal transport.
In light of tensions in the Red Sea and Southeast Asia, Poland’s land-based intermodal links offer a secure "Plan B." Its NATO membership and growing role as a logistics hub for Ukraine's
reconstruction further solidify its status as a safe harbor for long-term capital investment.
Poland has solidified its place as a cornerstone of the European economy and is now the EU's sixth-largest economy. Its GDP per capita is 40% higher after two decades in the EU, elevating Poland
beyond regional hub status. This progress is fueled by a mature digital economy and a workforce that keeps foreign investment flowing, despite regional challenges.
Well, the key statistic from 2024 to 2026, based on Polish transport companies' analytics, accounted for 368 billion tonne-kilometers of freight, leading the EU. With intermodal rail growth
forecasted at 3% annually through 2040, the country is set to dominate the green logistics transition.
