EN
The growing competition in foreign markets and the increasing demand of buyers force entrepreneurs to constantly adapt to changing conditions. This is often accompanied by the internationalisation of companies. In fact, the internationalisation of business is one of the biggest challenges for Polish firms. The article contains the results of empirical studies conducted in 2010-2011 in Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, as part of the project “Factors determining the competitive advantage of the development of food processing companies from Wielkopolskie region in the international market”. The aim of this study is to describe the forms of internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises of the food sector in Wielkopolskie Voivodeship, and to identify the barriers encountered in the process. This is done on the basis of secondary sources: theoretical implications based on the relevant literature; these are later verified with the help of conducted survey. The temporal scope of the study covers the years 2008-2011.