The import of Ukrainian grain deepens the rural crisis and pushes farmers to take active protest measures, warns the Association of Polish Grain Producers.
“The opening of the borders to trade with Ukraine has a significant impact on the grain market of our country, and it is especially painful for farmers in the eastern regions of the country. Warehouses are full of grain, which, instead of being shipped and sold on world markets, remains in Poland, blocking our development opportunities. We have been talking for a long time that it is necessary to increase our grain export opportunities, now is the time to activate activities in this area. We will not do it alone, we need the Government’s support”, points out the Association of Polish Grain Producers.
The solution to the problem is complicated by the lack of suitable port infrastructure adapted to the export of grain from Poland. The export of Ukrainian grain through Poland only aggravated the situation.
Ports are filled with coal
According to the Association of Polish Grain Producers, currently, the ports are filled with coal, and there is simply no room for grain ships. The transport industry, instead of serving the grain sector, is engaged in the transportation of coal, which increases transport rates and makes it difficult to export grain outside of Poland. The unorganized infrastructure of Polish ports deepens the deadlock.
Grain growers draw attention to the currently extremely low grain prices, which do not compensate for production costs.
Fast clearance procedure for Ukraine
After removing the grain trade barriers with Ukraine, huge quantities of corn and other grains are going to Poland. In order to eliminate traffic jams at the border, grain transported from Ukraine is treated as “technical” and subject to a fast clearance procedure. These grains, especially if they are bought directly from the farms, are no different from standard grains, but due to the huge quantities and the lack of efficient transit, these grains remain in Poland.
Polish grain growers appealed to the country’s Government and President, urging them to take urgent measures that would help reduce the tension in the domestic market.
Polish farmers need solution
“We understand that the situation of Ukrainian farmers is very difficult (war, lack of electricity, lack of fertilizers, risk of not sowing the fields), but we believe that there are opportunities to help them without losses for Polish farmers, and even with benefits for the Polish economy. We also understand that ports cannot be built overnight. Therefore, we call for the urgent implementation of solutions that facilitate the transit of grain from Ukraine outside of Poland or to designate/specify entities that will be engaged in the purchase of grain from Ukraine for export outside of Poland, without harming Polish farmers,” reads the appeal of the Association of Polish Grain Producers.
In the opinion of Polish grain growers, this situation is the basis for demanding additional funds from the European Union to stabilize agricultural prices in the market affected by grain imports.
The European Commission, which has allowed duty-free grain trade, must be more actively involved in the process of grain redistribution from Ukraine to other countries. Currently, ships with grain from Poland do not sail. If the export does not start, the Polish farmer will have nowhere to sell grain, and the crisis in the countryside will deepen.
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