Poland to finally release ‘shocking information’ on Ukrainian grain imports
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The Polish government plans to unveil a new list of Ukrainian grain importers and is currently exploring legal avenues for its release, discussed at the meeting held by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk with residents of Morąg, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, reported the Polish radio RFM24 on Feb. 11.
Polish Agriculture and Rural Development Deputy Minister Michał Kolodziejczak attended the event and reported that the list of companies importing grain from Ukraine is complete and ready for announcement.
“This week, we’ll be consulting legal opinions to ensure its public release, allowing every Pole to see who benefited during hard times for Polish farmers,” Kolodziejczak said.
The list, based on information from various services, corrects inaccuracies in the previous government’s publication, which Kolodziejczak claimed did not align with reality. The imported grain information he described as “shocking,” with approximately 6 billion zlotys ($1.5 billion) received from Ukraine.
“330 thousand tons of technical grain, rapeseed, and corn imported to the Polish market, probably went into consumption,” Kolodziejczak said.
“The cheapest wheat imported from Ukraine last year cost 51 zlotys ($12,7) per ton, which is 20 times lower than the profitability threshold for cultivation in Poland.”
“I am waiting for the release of the list of companies that imported technical grain and sold it as consumer grain. It’s time to wrap up this discussion. We’ve lost two years; it’s time for systemic solutions.”
The Polish Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry previously published a 62-page list of companies importing grain from Ukraine on its website in November 2023, a move criticized by members of the Polish grain market.
Read also: Polish farmers resume protests, block key Ukraine border crossings
Polish farmers said on Feb. 2 that they had “lost their patience” and would launch a nationwide strike on Feb. 9, blocking the border with Ukraine.
The Yahodyn-Dorohusk checkpoint was to be blocked from 11:00 a.m. on Feb. 9 due to a strike by Polish farmers.
Polish farmers also said that starting from Feb. 9 they would prevent the unloading of agricultural products from Ukraine at the Hrubieszów–Volodymyr-Volynskyi checkpoint.
Starting from approximately 10:00 a.m. EET time on Feb. 12, the passage of trucks is expected to slow down to approximately 3-4 trucks per hour at the Uhryniv-Dołhobyczów checkpoint. Buses and personal vehicles will be allowed to cross as usual. There may be traffic restrictions at several checkpoints: Dorohusk–Yahodyn, Hrebenne–Rava-Ruska, Medyka–Shehyni, Zosin–Ustyluh, and Dołhobyczów–Uhryniv.
Read also: Polish farmers lift blockade at major Ukraine border crossing after truck traffic halted
Polish farmers were breaking the locks on Ukrainian trucks and pouring grain out of them.
The European Union is preparing a draft resolution extending duty-free trade with Ukraine until June 2025, rejecting Poland’s proposal to reintroduce tariffs on some “sensitive products.”
Instead, Poland is demanding that a “safeguard clause” be introduced for Ukrainian products, which provides for the possibility of applying regional safeguard measures if a market problem affects not the entire EU but one member state or region.
Read also: Cargo transportation costs rise up to 20% since Polish border blockade — Deputy Agriculture Minister
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
