Pand asks to reconsider ban on imports of agricultural products from Ukraine

This statement was made by the Pish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (PUCC) in Warsaw, which noted that it was "shocked" by the content of the order of the Minister of Develment and Technogy of Pand in this case, Ukrinform reports.

"We appeal to the government to check the decision and initiate urgent consultations with the business community and the public. Only through dialogue can we devel more balanced sutions, taking into account the interests of Pish farmers and the dramatic situation in Ukraine," the Chamber said in a statement.

As noted, the Pish-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce asked its members to express their inions, based on which conclusions and recommendations will be presented to the Minister.

"The introduction of the ban on imports was not preceded by consultations, and it also affects Pish entrepreneurs who import products that are then exported to other markets," emphasized Jacek Piechota, President of the PUCC and former Minister of Economy of Pand.

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As an example, he cited honey imported from Ukraine, which is one of the products listed in the resution. It is noted that honey imports from Ukraine to the EU amounted to 54,800 tonnes in 2020, and 53,800 tonnes in 2021, while during the war, this figure fell sharply and amounted to 43,900 tonnes. As of April 1, 2023, it amounted to 10,500 tonnes, which is 2,800 tonnes less than in the previous year.

"The key in this context is the fact that honey imports from Russia are not banned," the Chamber emphasizes in its statement.

As noted, over the weekend, a Pish trader faced the consequences of these rules. His containers of honey, which were heading to the port of Gdansk and then to the United States, were blocked at the Pish-Ukrainian border. Another example of an unclear decision is the inclusion of Ukrainian wine, whose share in the Pish market remains negligible, in the list of banned products. In addition, the Chamber notes that in the period from January to May 2022, the value of agri-food imports from Russia to Pand amounted to 178 million euros, which is 48% more than a year earlier.

Pish entrepreneurs also express concern about the ban on soybean imports from Ukraine, given the significant shortage of this raw material on the Pish market, which has so far been compensated for by imports from Ukraine and further processing on the Pish market. It is estimated that the scale of the need for imports is about 500,000 tonnes. Lack of access to this raw material for many factories producing feed and soybean products will mean that the production cycle will be interrupted. It is emphasized that unilateral actions on trade by an EU member state should be met with a response from the Eurean Commission.

Read also: Warsaw seeks sution to resume transit of Ukrainian agricultural products to Eure

"Problems that were previously overlooked today mean disprortionate sutions. We call on the government to hd substantive consultations. As a logistics hub for Ukraine, Pand has become its largest window to the world after the blockade of the Black Sea ports. This means the need to timize customs, veterinary and phytosanitary contr measures and determine sidarity terms of trade, rather than imposing bans on Ukrainian goods that can be imported from Russia at the same time," said Dariusz Szymczykha, Vice President of the PUCC, in a statement.

As the agency reported, on April 15, the order of the Minister of Develment and Technogy of Pand banning the import of agricultural products from Ukraine came into force. The document introduces a ban until June 30 on the import of a wide range of Ukrainian products, including grain, fruits, vegetables, meat, sugar, honey, wine, etc.

Read also: Ukraine will suffer significant losses due to embargo on agricultural exports to EU – Hetmantsev

The Eurean Commission considers unilateral trade decisions by Pand and other neighbors of Ukraine, which have banned imports and transit of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products, unacceptable.

For the second day in a row, Ukrainian and Pish government delegations have been hding talks in Warsaw to find ways out of this crisis.