80% of “problems” between Ukraine and Poland in the agricultural sector are artificially created

In relations between Ukraine and Poland, 80% of the “problems” in the agricultural sector are artificially created, in particular, to pit producers from both countries against each other.

This was emphasized in an interview with Ukrinform by the Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar.

“Today, we have a new quality in our relations: we have grown up, we perceive each other as equals, seriously. We understand the importance of each state in the world and realize where we can be useful to each other, where we should cooperate, and where we are competitors, and this also needs to be discussed frankly. This is, for example, about cooperation in the agricultural sector. This is a rather sensitive topic in both Poland and Ukraine,” the Ukrainian diplomat emphasized.

He drew attention to the fact that last year there was no blocking of the common border, unlike in 2023–2024, since a systematic and constant dialogue between the ministries of agriculture was established.

“Almost every month, either online or face-to-face meetings took place, which made it possible to show the real picture of trade in certain goods, compare statistics, and solve problems that were supposedly impossible to solve. I will say more: 80% of “problems” do not actually exist. They are invented, fanned by various speculations, media publicity, or attempts to quarrel producers from Ukraine and Poland. However, in 20% of cases, problems can be solved,” the Ukrainian diplomat emphasized.

Bodnar reported that over the three quarters of last year, trade between Ukraine and Poland increased by 7.7% compared to the same period in 2024 and amounted to $ 13 billion.

“In particular, imports from Poland to Ukraine amounted to $9.3 billion, and from Ukraine to Poland – $3.7 billion. The amount of Polish imports also includes defense industry products. The total volume of mutual trade over the past year may reach $16-17 billion,” the Ukrainian Ambassador to the Republic of Poland noted.

He drew attention to the fact that Ukraine purchases many products from Poland related to the functioning of Ukraine in wartime. In particular, this concerns fuel, gas, and electricity, which are now supplied from Poland to Ukraine in significant quantities.

Tags: Ukraine, Poland, agricultural sector