Cheap agricultural products from Ukraine replaced the local products of Ukrainian neighbours, particularly Poland. Because of this, several EU countries have banned Ukraine from exporting its goods. The situation is mutually unfavourable: Ukraine is losing its markets and incomes, and the local agricultural production of European countries is on the verge of ruin. Under these conditions, the European Commission decided to apply a temporary embargo on the export of 17 groups of goods from Ukraine for sale in several specific countries. The ban does not apply to export goods for delivery to other open markets. However, Poland physically bans the import of Ukrainian products, thus leaving those who need it without wheat.
Deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Olha Stefanishyna, said that on June 5, the European Commission revised its decision and lifted the embargo on 12 positions out of 17. The embargo still includes wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds and will continue until September of this year.
The issues of blocking the Polish border, financing Polish farmers and compensation for Ukraine's losses remain open. These and others will be decided on the coordination platform, the first meeting of which will take place this week.
