Warsaw is urging the European Union to extend the ban on Ukrainian grain sales in five countries, including Poland, beyond September 15. The Polish agriculture minister, Robert Telus, stated that the extension is beneficial for farmers and the European Union. Poland will not allow Ukrainian grain imports into the country, as the interest of Polish farmers is more important than any of the bloc’s regulations. Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria also support an extension of the ban.
The European Commission announced in June that it would extend an arrangement allowing five of Ukraine’s EU neighbours, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia, to ban domestic sales of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds until September 15. Under this arrangement, Ukrainian grain can transit these countries for export elsewhere, including to other EU countries. The EU restrictions aim to ease excess supply of grain in these five countries, as Ukraine has experienced difficulties exporting through its Black Sea ports due to the Russian invasion.