Poland maintains Ukrainian grain ban amid EU regulatory shifts

Poland is maintaining its ban on Ukrainian grain imports despite pressure from the European Commission. Agriculture Minister Stefan Krajewski stated that while Poland is willing to assist Ukraine, it will not do so at the expense of domestic farmers and food processors. The minister emphasized that grain intended for Ukraine should be directed to third-country markets rather than remaining in Europe and disrupting local trade relations.

In a separate agricultural development, new European Union regulations are expected to significantly impact food prices. The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires strict geolocation data for imports like coffee to ensure they do not contribute to deforestation. Experts warn this could exclude up to 60 percent of small-scale producers from the market, potentially driving coffee prices up by as much as 300 percent. Additionally, proposed mirror clauses regarding pesticide use may further disrupt global supply chains and increase costs for various food products.

Regarding other imports, the Polish Ministry of Agriculture has dismissed claims of a market flood by German potatoes or Ukrainian soft fruits, noting that border controls remain active and recent data shows stable or declining import levels for certain goods.