POLISH FARMERS TO BLOCK AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS FROM UKRAINE
Starting 20 February, Polish farmers intend to block all border crossings between Poland and Ukraine, seaports and rail hubs with the aim to stop Ukrainian freight. After a temporary pause in the protest following a compensation deal reached with the Polish government in January, farmers returned to their blockades on 9 February. The new blockades will now target rail transport of Ukrainian agricultural goods and the rail hub at Hrubieszów, close to the border with Ukraine.
Polish farmers main reason to halt Ukrainian freight lies in the EU’s relaxation of import and transit restrictions on Ukrainian goods, creating unfair competition with Polish products. Poland already banned the import of grain and several other Ukrainian products after earlier protests in 2023 but continues to allow its transit. Polish farmers remain concerned about the import of other incoming agricultural products, such as poultry and sugar.
The blockades have the potential to undermine Ukrainian exports. So far in 2024, over 4000 railway wagons carrying Ukrainian agricultural goods and over 550 trucks have already transited through Poland.
Source: RailFreight.com