The European Union has expressed clear disapproval of the unilateral restrictions imposed by Poland and Hungary on Ukrainian grain and other agricultural goods. EU officials emphasize that trade policy is a collective remit of the union, and any action taken by a single member state without consensus runs counter to agreed EU rules and the principles of the single market.
EU authorities note that Poland and Hungary announced bans on Ukrainian agricultural imports, with Poland restricting shipments through June 30, 2023, and Hungary implementing a similar prohibition. These unilateral measures are viewed as inconsistent with EU trade norms and the shared framework that governs the movement of goods within the bloc and with external partners.
Reports indicate that on April 1, several EU members, including Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Bulgaria, petitioned EU institutions to address disruptions caused by delays in Ukrainian grain flows. The nations requested Brussels to consider options for directing some Ukrainian grain toward humanitarian needs and to support the rapid improvement of transport infrastructure to handle grain shipments more efficiently.
A joint assessment from the involved countries highlights ongoing challenges since January, noting that inexpensive Ukrainian grain imports have created difficulties for the agricultural sectors in six member states, namely Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Stakeholders are calling for coordinated action to stabilize markets, protect farmers, and safeguard food supply chains across the region.