Poland imports almost three times more Russian grain than Ukrainian
14 February 2024 10:25
At a time when “Polish farmers” are blocking the border with Ukraine, demanding to restrict the import of Ukrainian grain, Poland is buying almost three times as much grain from Russia. This was reported by Radio Liberty, according to 
As you know, the European Union has not imposed sanctions against Russian agricultural products. This allows European countries to actively buy food and grain from Russia. Thanks to this (as well as the theft of Ukrainian grain and the blocking of Ukrainian ports), according to WRP.pl, Russia is now responsible for 24% of global wheat exports. Before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s share was 16%.
“In the first eight months of 2023, EU member states imported 31% more wheat and corn from Russia compared to the same period last year. This means an increase of 739 thousand tonnes,”
– writes Radio Liberty.
Poland is no exception, as imports of Russian grain are also allowed here. And Poland is actively buying it.
According to the Main Statistical Office of Poland and the Supreme Audit Office of Poland, from January 2022 to May 2023, Poland imported more than 12 million tonnes of grain from Russia. And in the period from January 2022 to August 2023 (i.e. even slightly longer), 4.3 million tonnes of grains and oilseeds were imported from Ukraine.
Thus, imports of Russian grain in Poland are almost three times higher than imports of Ukrainian grain.
However, the “Polish farmers” (namely the Solidarity trade union) are protesting exclusively against Ukrainian grain.
Border blockade
on 9 February 2024, Polish farmers began a new nationwide strike and blockade of the border with Ukraine, which will last until 10 March. It was initiated by the independent farmers’ union Solidarity. Since 12 February, they have blocked all road checkpoints, and from 20 February they plan to block access roads to railway transshipment stations and seaports. The main demand of the protesters is to cancel the preferential trade regime with Ukraine and to return the permit system for importing goods into Poland.
Problems at the border began on 6 November 2023, when Polish transport companies began blocking truck traffic at three major checkpoints on the Ukrainian border: “Korczowa-Krakowiec, Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska, and Dorohusk-Yagodyn. One of the requirements was to reinstate the permits for Ukrainian carriers that had been cancelled under the agreement with the EU by 30 June 2024.
On6 January, truck traffic to the Medyka-Shehyni border crossingin Poland resumed. Three other border crossing points were opened on 17 January, namely Dorohusk – Yagodyn, Hrebenne – Rava-Ruska, and Korczowa – Krakivets.
In Romania, on 13 and 14 January, local farmers blocked the movement of Ukrainian trucks through the Siret checkpoint, and on 15 January, they began blocking the Vicovu de Sus checkpoint. on 18 January, Romanian farmers began blockading the Dyakove-Halmeu checkpoint. However, as of 20 January, these checkpoints were reopened.
The preferential trade regime and its opponents
Many EU members did not like the quota-free imports of Ukrainian products to the EU, which was in effect in 2022-2023. In particular, a number of Eastern European countries demanded that the EU impose import duties on Ukrainian goods, citing unfair competition. The ministers of agriculture of Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia sent a letter to the European Commission asking for action, stating that cheaper agricultural products from Ukraine were eating into their export markets.
At the end of January 2024, the European Commission actually reintroduced quotas for some Ukrainian goods. It extended the special preferential regime with Ukraine for a year, but set special conditions and safeguards for some goods.
In particular, in order to “stabilise imports at the level of average volumes in 2022-2023”, the EU has come up with an “emergency braking” mechanism for three products: poultry, eggs and sugar.
In practice, this means setting a quota at the level of the average export volume in 2022-2023, exceeding which will automatically result in an import tariff being applied to the products.
This decision must then be approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
Thus, the EC’s decision virtually reintroduces quotas for some Ukrainian products, even if at the average level of Ukrainian exports. However, even this compromise solution does not suit the Polish farmers’ union Solidarity.
