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The history
of the Gdańsk Grain Exchange

GDGZ

In the 16th century Gdańsk was considered one of the most developed trade centers in Europe.

In the 16th century Gdańsk was considered one of the most developed trade centers in Europe. However, the 17th century remains the most glorious era in the history of Gdańsk, when it was one of the richest cities in Europe. The port was visited by sailors, merchants, as well as scientist and artists. Grain trade on a big scale led to the city’s wealth. Grains arrived in Gdańsk from various areas of Poland through inland waterways, mainly the Vistula and its tributaries. In 1618, 118,000 Gdańsk lasts (approximately 271,000 tons) were exported abroad.

Throughout many centuries The Artus Court (Grain Exchange venue) was the centre of trade, where merchants from all around Europe met to negotiate prices of grains with Polish suppliers.

Dwór Artusa, Gdańsk 1865 r.

Artus Court, Gdańsk 1865r.

The ports in Gdańsk and Gdynia have been dynamically increasing their transshipment volumes annually, reaching historically record-breaking total cargo tonnage of nearly 110 million tons in 2023. While agricultural cargoes may not be the most significant in terms of quantity, they bring profits to both traders and transshipment terminals, and the impressive scale of a 2.5-times increase in their turnover over the past 4 years makes everyone involved proud. In 2023, a total of 9,852 thousand tons of agricultural products were transported through ports in Gdańsk and Gdynia, with grain transshipments alone reaching close to 7 million tons, confirming the critical importance of Gdańsk and Gdynia in the overall turnover of agricultural goods in all Polish ports.

Artus Court, Gdańsk Grain Exchange 2010r.

Artus Court, Gdańsk Grain Exchange 2010r.

Artus Court, Gdańsk Grain Exchange 2010r. - 2

Artus Court, Gdańsk Grain Exchange 2010r.

Gdańsk Grain Exchange is an annual event founded by Zbigniew Ohler in 2009.

Zbigniew Ohler

Zbigniew Ohler

It was created as an homage to trade traditions of the city and is a perfect opportunity to meet for Polish and foreign entrepreneurs who trade grains. First editions were held in Artus Court, however, due to growing popularity, the event was moved to Sheraton Hotel Conference Centre in Sopot. What is more, the Winter Exchange, which takes place in Zakopane, has been organised annually since 2015.

The event is a great opportunity to meet entrepreneurs involved in production, sales and export of grains and oilseeds in person. Every year we host several hundred agricultural producers and warehouse owners from the coast and other regions of the country. We also invite companies that support trade by providing transport, logistics and quality control.

Gdańsk Grain Exchange 2022r.

Gdańsk Grain Exchange 2022r.

Gdańsk Grain Exchange 2022r.

Gdańsk Grain Exchange 2022r.

Participants are able to meet trade partners they previously knew only by phone or email. Our guests can also expect to establish fruitful co-operations with new contractors.

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