Ukrainian agriculture excluded from solidarity with Eastern Europe

Actually, Ukraine is one major agricultural powers of the world. Wheat, corn, rapeseed, sunflower oil and all kinds of seeds come from its endless fields. And even the war failed to destroy this wealth. This was pointed out days ago in an analysis of satellite images by NASA Harvest; This is despite the reduction of cultivated land due to mines or Russian occupation (between 6.5% and 8.5% of the total arable land in Ukraine). Ukraine’s agricultural productivity increased Due to favorable weather conditions this year.

Problem: Ukraine wanted and got Ukrainian transport to be able to operate temporarily, given its difficult situation due to the war and its industry greatly affected by the conflict. under the same conditions Here’s what companies in European Union (EU) Member States will do. However, this angered the agricultural sector of neighboring countries in Eastern Europe, which refused to comply with the European order. That’s why they’ve been in a trade war against Kiev for months, which they haven’t hidden.

lifeguard runners

Just this week, a group of Polish truck drivers continued to block three border crossings with Ukraine, arguing that, as the Agrarian Party leader Michal Kolodziejczak said, “agricultural markets in Poland are being ruined” as a result of Ukrainian exports. Kolodziejczak suggested as a possible solution that Polish farmers receive “compensation” for the economic damage allegedly caused to them by the European Commission’s (EC) decision.

However, while searching for a solution; damageDefinitely, recurrence Kyiv. According to economist Oleg Nivyevsky from the Kiev School of Economics (KSE), this is because currently Ukraine can practically only export through them. “lifeguard runners“by rail or road land borders. “Southern sea route [por donde antes de la invasión pasaba el 80% de las exportaciones ucranianas]Nivyevsky states that the threat there stems from the presence of Russian ships and says, “Even if it is not completely blocked, it is of little use.” Because, “If these countries [europeos] they protect their blocksUkrainian economy Lose up to 8% of your GDP“, he predicts in his comments to EL PERIÓDICO of the Prensa Ibérica group.

HE conflictHaving domestic political repercussions in relevant European countries (a minister resigned in Poland in April), it got worse again since last September. It was then EU decided to lift the veto Allowing Ukrainian grain imports with the thought that there will be no more distortions in the markets of the European countries in question. Ukraine and the EC also committed to monitoring the situation to deal with “unforeseen situations”. Despite this, the conflict between Kiev and Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Poland escalated again.

20% of GDP

Kiev, whose agricultural sector accounts for 20% of GDP, has recently responded to this situation with desperation. In September, Ukraine even took legal action (later stopped) against Poland, Hungary and Slovakia over unilateral bans on grain exports. These countries They are violating their “international obligations”Kiev told the World Trade Organization (WTO). Later, the Ukrainian Government also declared its own veto on the import of some Polish vegetables and fruits into its territory.

In the same line, AK also criticized The attitude of Ukraine’s neighboring countries. Regarding the trucker blockades in Poland last Wednesday, the EC said “the situation is as follows” absolutely unacceptable“and threatened to open a file against Warsaw. “We have been trying to meet with all parties since the beginning of the protests. no good will “We are struggling to find a solution and the involvement of Polish authorities is almost completely absent,” European Transport Commissioner Adina Valean said. However, the outcome of the case is not yet known.