This report focuses on four issues. Firstly, it discusses the efficiency1 of Polish agriculture between 2004 and 2008 in comparison with relevant indicators recorded in previous years as well as with those observed in other European Union Member States and in Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian agriculture. As regards the latter group of countries, the examination was aimed to formulate an opinion on the period when they would import Polish agri-food products. Secondly, the report raises the question of development prospects of various groups of Polish agricultural holdings in 2005–2007, and thirdly, it describes the competitiveness of farms held by natural persons (the analysis mostly covers the years 2004–2006) as compared to agricultural holdings in
selected other EU Member States. Finally, it examines the efficiency of particular groups of Poland’s largest farms in 2004–2008. Such holdings are analysed separately as they differ from those held by natural persons in methods for labour remuneration, the calculation of related costs (social security, taxation on salaries and wages), etc.