EU moratorium on Ukrainian grain: Poland will not open the border for exports, but will allow transit

In less than two months, on September 15, the European Commission's moratorium on imports of Ukrainian grain to the EU will expire. However, despite this, Poland does not intend to open its borders to Ukrainian grain exports. Instead, Poland has pledged to ensure further transit of Ukrainian grain to other countries.

This was announced by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki after a meeting with the ministers of agriculture of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria.

Morawiecki emphasized that after September 15, Poland will raise the question of the need to develop appropriate mechanisms and rules that will prevent destabilization of markets in Poland and imports of agricultural products that are currently banned. Otherwise, Poland will unilaterally impose restrictions on imports of Ukrainian grain.

The main purpose of such actions of the Poles is to protect local farmers and prevent destabilization of the agricultural market in Poland. However, the Prime Minister emphasized that the attitude toward Ukraine and Ukrainians should not be perceived as hostile, but that the measures are being introduced to support Polish farmers.

Ukraine has expressed its categorical protest against the extension of the EU ban on agricultural products to Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria after September 15. If the issue is not resolved, Ukraine will be forced to consider introducing mirror measures of a corresponding limited scope.

Poland imposed an embargo on agricultural products to protect its economy and agricultural sector. Now the key task of the Poles is to ensure the security and stability of the markets for other agricultural products, which may affect their decision on Ukrainian products. In the changing world of agricultural relations, protecting the interests of its farmers remains a priority for Poland.