European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski has called on Ukraine to ensure co-operation for the export of Ukrainian grain from the EU for sale to third countries due to the oversaturation of the European market.
“We need to support Ukraine, to ensure transit and transport of its grain to sea ports and send it to countries where Ukraine has traditionally sold grain before. But for this we need a positive approach from Ukraine, co-operation from Kiev to implement this system. Our Ukrainian partners should understand the situation of our farmers, no market can withstand such a level of increase in supplies,” Janusz Wojciechowski said at a press conference following the meeting of the heads of the EU agriculture ministries.
According to the politician’s assessment, Russia has squeezed Ukraine out of its traditional markets in China, India and Egypt during the fighting. In addition, Russia benefited from the fact that “Ukrainian exports went to Europe, destabilising the EU agricultural market”.
Wojciechowski also said that in 2022-2023, the EU agricultural sector lost €19bn from liberal innovations in trade with Ukraine.
“EU agrarian exports to Ukraine for 2 years amounted to €6 billion, imports – €25 billion. Thus, the European agricultural sector suffered a loss of €19 billion paid by our farmers. This is the price of trade liberalisation with Ukraine, but mainly it is the price of war,” he said.
We will remind, in early November 2023 Polish carriers blocked the movement of freight transport at three checkpoints on the border with Ukraine. The protesters demanded to introduce commercial permits for Ukrainian hauliers and limit their number.