EU says unilateral trade action unacceptable after Poland, Hungary ban Ukraine grain, food imports

A European Commission official said Sunday that unilateral trade actions by EU member states are unacceptable. Poland and Hungary banned Ukrainian grain and other food imports to defend their agricultural sectors.

Due to Russia’s invasion and the blockade of some Black Sea ports, considerable amounts of Ukrainian grain have remained in Central European states, affecting pricing and sales and hurting local farmers.

In an election year, this issue has enraged rural voters, who support Poland’s ruling nationalist Law and Justice party.

The spokeswoman added in an email that they are aware of Poland and Hungary’s ban announcements and that unilateral acts are unacceptable because trade policy is EU exclusive competence. In such difficult times, EU decisions must be coordinated and aligned.

According to the development and technology minister’s Twitter post, the Polish prohibition on Saturday evening will also apply to these products’ transit through the country. To prevent items from entering the local market, Poland will negotiate with Ukraine.

On Saturday, Ukraine’s ministry of agrarian policy and food said the Polish embargo violates bilateral export agreements and requested negotiations. On Monday in Poland, Ukrainian and Polish ministers will discuss transit.

Ukraine exports grain, mainly, through its Black Sea ports. The Ukrainian ministry reports that 3 million tonnes of grain leave Ukraine each month via the Black Sea grain corridor, but just 200,000 tonnes reach European ports via Polish territory.

Ukraine’s farm minister said 500,000 to 700,000 tonnes of grain, vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, meat, and other agricultural products pass the Polish border each month.