Poland temporarily halts Ukrainian grain imports

The government of Poland has decided to temporarily limit imports of grain and a variety of other food products from Ukraine, according to the Cabinet of Ministers’ website.

Poland’s development minister, Waldemar Buda, posted documents saying that, in addition to grains, imports of milk, eggs, and poultry from Ukraine to Poland will be prohibited until June 30, 2023.

Russia’s full-scale invasion blocked many of the routes, including through Black Sea ports, that Ukraine had typically used to export grain to other countries, mostly outside of Europe. After the invasion, the European Union persuaded Poland to act as the main land-based transit hub for Ukrainian grains, notes BBC News Russian.

However, logistical problems caused cheap Ukrainian grain to get stuck in European countries, which affected local farmers. In Poland itself, companies began buying up Ukrainian grain, causing losses for local producers. This led to political problems for Poland’s ruling party ahead of the 2023 parliamentary elections. According to the BBC, the Law and Justice party relies on Poland’s farmers as a base of support.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party, said that Poland remains “an unchanged friend and ally of Ukraine.” But, he added, “the duty of any state, any government — any good one, anyway — is to protect the interests of its own citizens.”

According to Kaczynski, Warsaw has advised Kyiv about the Polish government’s decision and is ready to open negotiations to resolve the issue.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Agrarian Policy expressed disappointment at Poland’s decision. The ministry says the ban will also affect the transit of agricultural products through Poland.

The Ukrainian side believes that the current decision contradicts prior agreements between the two countries. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy notes that just a week ago, Kyiv and Warsaw reached an agreement on the transit of Ukrainian wheat, corn, sunflower seeds, and rapeseeds across Polish territory until June 1, 2023.

“We understand that Polish farmers are in a difficult situation, however we must stress that currently, Ukrainian farmers are in the most difficult position. [...] In the present moment, crucial unilateral actions on various issues will not facilitate a positive solution,” the ministry said.

The Ukrainian ministry suggested that the two countries reach a new cooperative agreement that would take into account the interests of both Ukraine and Poland.

Russia’s full-scale invasion blocked many of the routes, including through Black Sea ports, that Ukraine had typically used to export grain to other countries, mostly outside of Europe. After the invasion, the European Union persuaded Poland to act as the main land-based transit hub for Ukrainian grains, notes BBC News Russian.

Logistical problems caused Ukrainian grain to go to market in European countries, which affected local farmers. In Poland itself, companies began buying up cheap Ukrainian grain, causing losses for local producers. This led to political problems for Poland’s ruling party ahead of the 2023 parliamentary elections. According to the BBC, the Law and Justice party relies on Poland’s farmers as a base of support.