KYIV: Poland and Ukraine began talks on Monday to reach an agreement following Warsaw’s ban on Ukrainian grain imports. The ban, which also extends to meat, sugar, fruits and vegetables, eggs, and other food items, has led to an increase in the arrival of maize, wheat, and sunflower from Ukraine in neighbouring European states, causing silos to fill and driving down local prices.
Hungary and Slovakia joined Poland in imposing the ban over the weekend, citing food safety concerns. The EU’s executive arm has denounced the move and underscored that trade policy is of EU exclusive competence, thus rendering unilateral actions unacceptable.
Since the closure of the Black Sea shipping lanes due to Russia’s invasion, Ukraine’s grain exports have transited through the EU to other countries. Last May, the EU suspended customs duties on all products imported from Ukraine for one year and organised for Kyiv to export its grain stocks.
Ukraine’s agriculture ministry spokeswoman, Tetiana Lupova, stated that negotiations between Ukraine and Poland on exports and transit of Ukrainian agricultural production to and through Poland are still ongoing.
Poland imposes ban on Ukrainian grain
The ban on Ukrainian grain imports “makes it more difficult” to achieve “a common victory,” said Ukraine’s agriculture minister, Mykola Solsky, adding that he expected “difficult negotiations” on the issue.
The ban has also caused farmers’ protests and led to the resignation of the Polish agriculture minister. Slovakia’s Agriculture Minister, Samuel Vlcan, announced its own ban, which will come into effect on Wednesday, and apply to various products, including grain, sugar, fruits and vegetables, wine, and honey.
Last month, Brussels proposed drawing €56.3 million ($61.5 million) from the EU’s agricultural crisis reserve to support destabilised farmers in Bulgaria, Poland, and Romania, but five member states, including Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, have requested additional aid.
Ukraine’s agriculture ministry stated that it regrets Poland’s ban and that “Polish farmers are facing a difficult situation, but we emphasise that Ukrainian farmers are facing the most difficult situation” due to the war.
