The European Union may extend the ban on the import of Ukrainian grain

The EU may extend the ban on free trade of wheat, corn, rape and sunflower from Ukraine in five Eastern European countries.

Currently, from May 2 to June 5, the EU resolution prohibits the free import of Ukrainian grain and oilseeds to Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania, but their transit through the territory of these countries is allowed.

As EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski stated, at the same time, the ban applies only to the “most sensitive products” that were imported in excess. In the list of products that the five countries offered before the ban, there are several more items, but currently there are no disruptions in the market due to them,  Interfax-Ukraine quotes Wojciechovsky’s statement.

According to the commissar, the bread crisis was prevented. He reminded that 4.1 million tons of grain were brought to Poland from April 2022 to the end of March 2023. Of these, 3.4 million tons remained in the country, the rest was transported in transit.

The European Commissioner also reminded that Polish farmers who currently sell grain can take advantage of state aid and subsidies. There is a demand for grain, but the problem of its low price remains.

Wojciechowski suggested that EU member states will agree to extend beyond June 5, 2023, the provision prohibiting free trade of four cultures in Eastern European countries. “Everything points to that,” he summed up.