The Polish opposition wants to maintain the ban on grain imports from Ukraine

Poland’s opposition Law and Justice party is calling for the ban on Ukrainian grain imports to remain in place and proposes extending restrictions to processed agricultural and food products from Ukraine. The statement was made by the party’s candidate for prime minister, Przemysław Czarnek, during a press conference at the Dorohusk–Yahodyn border crossing.

Czarnek stressed that Poland should not lift restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports, which were introduced in spring 2023. According to him, the Polish authorities are currently facing pressure to ease these measures, but Law and Justice is ready to support the government in maintaining the grain embargo.

Ukrainian grain remains a particularly sensitive issue for Poland’s agricultural sector. Opposition representatives argue that supplies of cheaper agricultural products from Ukraine could put additional pressure on domestic prices and Polish farmers’ incomes. At the same time, Poland remains an important transit route for Ukrainian agricultural products, particularly amid limited opportunities for maritime exports.

In addition to grain, Czarnek proposed extending restrictions to processed agricultural and food products of Ukrainian origin. The Polish opposition is also calling for tighter quality controls at the border and greater transparency regarding agricultural products entering Poland from Ukraine.

The debate over Ukrainian agricultural imports is intensifying at a particularly difficult time for Ukraine, as Russian attacks on port infrastructure increase the importance of alternative overland routes through the EU. Further Polish restrictions could complicate the redirection of Ukrainian export flows, although a key issue remains the distinction between imports destined for the Polish market and Ukrainian products transiting Poland to other countries.

Tags: Ukraine, grain, Poland, imports, ban on importation