At a glance
- 📈 Growth Trend: Direct trade between Ireland and Poland continues to surge post-Brexit, bypassing the UK landbridge.
- 🏗️ #1 for Construction: Joinery (windows/doors) and structural materials remain the top technical imports.
- 🪑 Furniture Hub: Poland solidifies its position as a key supplier for Irish hospitality and office fit-outs.
- 💡 High-Tech Shift: The market is moving from raw commodities to finished, high-value engineered products.
The Trade Landscape in 2025
The relationship between Poland and Ireland has evolved from simple migration ties to a robust multi-billion Euro trade partnership. In 2025, we are seeing a distinct shift. While agri-food remains strong, Irish businesses are increasingly looking to Poland for industrial and construction solutions to combat high local costs.
Here are the top product categories dominating the route from Gdynia/Poznań to Dublin/Cork this year.
1. Joinery: Windows & Doors
Without a doubt, this is the heavyweight champion of technical imports. Poland is the largest exporter of windows in the EU, and Ireland is a major buyer.
- What’s hot: Triple-glazed PVC and aluminum systems (Aluprof, Schüco systems manufactured in Poland).
- Why: Irish energy regulations (nZEB) demand high specs. Polish factories deliver these specs at 20-30% lower costs than German or local competitors.
2. Furniture & Interior Fit-out
If you walk into a new hotel in Dublin or a modern office block in Cork, there is a high chance the furniture was made in Poland.
- Sectors: Hospitality (beds, wardrobes), Office (desks, acoustic pods), and Kitchen manufacturing (cabinetry).
- Trend: A move towards "contract furniture"-bespoke, durable solutions for commercial projects rather than just flat-pack retail goods.
3. Construction Materials (Heavy & Light)
Beyond windows, the structural sector is booming due to the Irish housing demand.
- Structural Steel: Prefabricated steel components for warehouses and commercial units.
- Insulation: EPS, XPS, and mineral wool.
- Roofing: Membranes and metal roofing sheets.
- Finishing: Ceramic tiles (Poland is a top 3 producer in Europe) and facade systems.
4. Machinery & Transport Equipment
This category often surprises people. Poland is a major hub for automotive parts and industrial machinery components. For the construction sector, this translates to specialized trailers, agricultural machinery, and metalworking tools being imported by Irish distributors.
Why the volume is increasing
Two main factors are driving these numbers in 2025:
- Direct Ferries: Routes from Rosslare to Continental Europe allow goods to skip the UK entirely, removing customs friction.
- Cost Pressure: With inflation stabilizing but prices remaining high in Western Europe, Irish procurement managers are forced to find value without dropping quality standards. Poland hits that "sweet spot."
Sourcing these products efficiently
Knowing what to import is easy; knowing who to buy from is the challenge. The Polish market is vast, with thousands of manufacturers.
Actitrade specializes in the top 2 categories: Construction Materials and Fit-out. We don't just read the market reports; we are on the road visiting these factories every week.
Planning your procurement strategy for 2026? Get a market analysis for your specific product category.