The dispute flared up about globalization influence. Development strategy of the Polish agro-food economy in the EU funds structures. Impact of the EU on the development of agriculture and rural areas in the first years of the memership. Competitiveness of the Polish food producers after the accession to the European Union. Evolution of the meat market and its effects on the price transmission proces. Incomes of agriculture and the polish holdings in the first years of the membership in the EU. Economic performance of the selected agricultural products in 2006. Institutional factors in socio-economic development of rural areas.