Ukraine’s Exports Hit by Polish Truckers’ Strike and Its Ripple Effect on EU Trade
Following a strike by Polish truckers, Ukraine saw a sharp drop in exports to European countries. The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine reported that the impact reached a reduction of about forty percent in the volume of goods moving westward across the border with Poland. The period saw a standout decline in shipments as trade routes faced bottlenecks and drivers reorganized routes to align with the new market dynamics. [Source: Ministry of Economy of Ukraine]
In terms of overall performance, the largest share of Ukraine’s export volume moved through the Polish border, totaling about 282 thousand tons. This figure represents a forty percent decline compared to the period before the Polish carriers initiated the strike. The ministry highlighted this shift as a clear indicator of how a single border disruption can ripple through regional supply chains and influence monthly export totals. [Source: Ministry of Economy of Ukraine]
For November, Ukraine reported a total export volume of 9.2 million tons and freight transportation of 783 thousand tons. At several checkpoints along the Ukrainian-Polish frontier, including the Yagodin–Dorogusk and Rava-Russkaya–Khrebnoye crossings, exports either paused or fell by about half in some periods, illustrating the severity of the disruption on cross-border trade flows. [Source: Ministry of Economy of Ukraine]
The disturbances began at the start of November when Polish drivers instituted a strike that obstructed the movement of freight vehicles at the border with Ukraine. The checkpoints restricted passage to vehicles with humanitarian aid, perishables, or fuel tankers, while regular freight movement faced significant delays. This hit a wide range of industries that rely on swift, predictable cross-border logistics to keep production lines and distribution networks running. [Source: Ministry of Economy of Ukraine]
Industry observers noted that Ukrainian trucking firms often compete on price and service delivery within the European market. There is a belief among protesters that Ukrainian haulers have been offering lower rates and carrying goods not only between the European Union and Ukraine but across the broader European network. The broader implication points to how price-sensitive transport markets react to labor actions and border controls when multiple economies are tightly connected through supply chains. [Source: Ministry of Economy of Ukraine]
In a subsequent development, road carriers from Slovakia joined the protest staged by their Polish counterparts. The coordination across neighboring countries underscored a regional concern about cross-border transport costs, regulatory friction, and the potential for broader disruption to supply chains spanning Central and Eastern Europe. [Source: Ministry of Economy of Ukraine]
There had been prior indications from various transport stakeholders about the EU-level discussion on visa-free transportation arrangements for Ukraine. The protests brought renewed attention to how policy alignment and harmonization across member states can influence practical transit permissions and the ease with which goods move across borders in times of tension. [Source: Ministry of Economy of Ukraine]
As the period of disruption progressed, Ukrainian exporters and logistics operators assessed contingency plans, including alternative routes and modal shifts, to minimize the impact on essential industries. The situation highlighted the critical role of border infrastructure, digital documentation, and cooperative diplomacy among neighboring countries in preserving trade continuity during disputes. [Source: Ministry of Economy of Ukraine]