Ukrainian grain disrupts EU agriculture – Terre-net reported

European farmers are increasingly protesting against duty-free imports of Ukrainian agricultural products into the EU.

This was reported by Terre-net.

Demonstrations in Bulgaria, dumping of Ukrainian grain at the border with Poland, a rally involving 900 tractors in Brussels, and the slogan “We want to help, but not at any cost” from Romanian agricultural workers are the latest manifestations of this anger.

Farm worker unions in France and Germany warn that Ukraine’s integration into the European food industry would be a disaster and could lead to the complete disappearance of family farms in Europe.

As the publication explains, Ukraine’s extensive arable land makes it a major exporter of wheat, corn, and sunflower seeds. However, Ukrainian products in the EU are exempt from customs duties in the name of European solidarity but still fall short of European standards, especially regarding pesticides.

While Poles, Romanians, or Bulgarians have agreed to allow Ukrainian grain to transit through their territory, they demand guarantees that it will be supplied to the global market rather than used to lower prices in Europe.

As the publication notes, European solidarity with Ukraine’s policy damages EU farmers. While Ukraine exported 20,000 tonnes of sugar to the EU annually in the past, according to French sugar beet producers, this volume could exceed 700,000 tonnes in 2023-2024.

At the end of January, Brussels announced a mechanism for reintroducing customs duties on “sensitive” products: poultry, eggs, and sugar.

Grain producers immediately called for similar measures regarding wheat, barley, and corn, warning of the risk of “breaking up the common market.”