EU condemns Polish and Hungarian bans on Ukrainian grain

Temporary bans on imports of agricultural products from Ukraine, put in place by Poland and Hungary on 15 April, have been criticised by the European Commission.

The import suspensions were imposed by the two governments due to large volumes of cheap imports flooding their local marketplace.

Bulgaria is also reported to be considering banning Ukrainian imports.

See also: Ukraine War: The impact on agriculture one year on

An increase in Ukrainian products entering these countries has put pressure on their domestic markets.

Traditionally, much of this product would have been shipped out of Ukraine via the Black Sea.

However, disruption as a result of Russia’s invasion has led to more exports being transported overland through neighbouring European countries. 

Impact

In March, a joint letter was sent by the prime ministers of Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia to the European Commission outlining the effects of increased food imports on domestic markets.

Hungary’s ministry of agriculture said the government was committed to representing the interests of Hungarian farmers and, in the absence of meaningful EU measures, it would temporarily ban the imports of grain and oilseeds from Ukraine, as well as other agricultural products.

Following this decision, an online meeting was held on 16 April between Ukraine’s agriculture minister, Mykola Solskyi and Hungary’s agriculture minister, Istvan Nagy.

In the meeting, Mr Nagy pledged that the transit of Ukrainian agricultural products through his country would be allowed to continue.

Polish and Ukrainian agriculture ministers are due to meet today (17 April) to discuss this issue.

The European Commission has said unilateral actions will not be tolerated and that all actions relating to Ukrainian exports should be co-ordinated by Brussels.