Poland bans grain imports from Ukraine to protect farmers

Europe 1 with AFP 17:34 p.m., April 15, 2023

Poland decided on Saturday to ban imports of grain and other agricultural products from neighboring Ukraine to protect its own farmers, ruling party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski said. Ukrainian grain destined for foreign countries has been transiting through the European Union since the traditional export route via the Black Sea was blocked by the Russian invasion. But due to logistical problems, grain stocks are piling up in Poland, causing local prices to plummet, leading to farmers' protests and the resignation of Poland's agriculture minister.

"Today (Saturday), the government decided to ban the entry and imports of cereals into Poland as well as dozens of other agri-food products," said Jaroslaw Kaczynski speaking from the village of Lyse in northern Poland. Otherwise, "it would lead to a serious crisis in the agricultural sector in Poland," he added.

"We remain friends and allies of Ukraine"

Speaking at a meeting of his Law and Justice (PiS) party, the ruling party leader stressed that Poland nevertheless continued to strongly support Ukraine. "We remain, without the slightest change, friends and allies of Ukraine," he said. Ukraine's Ministry of Agricultural Policy, however, said Saturday it "regrets the decision of its Polish counterpart." "Polish farmers are facing a difficult situation but we would like to stress that Ukrainian farmers are facing the most serious situation" due to the war, the ministry said.

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The latter proposed that the two countries reach an agreement in the coming days that will satisfy them mutually. Last month, Poland and four other Central European states asked the European Union for help in finding a solution to the problem caused by the low price of Ukrainian cereals.