Warsaw, Poland – Poland’s prime minister on Wednesday appealed to Brussels to limit the amount of Ukrainian grain entering the European Union, saying it was destabilizing local markets.
Ukraine, one of the world’s largest grain exporters, saw its traditional Black Sea export routes blocked or limited by Russia’s invasion.
The EU has since allowed the war-torn country’s grain exports to transit through the bloc to other countries.
Yet, because of logistical issues, the grain has been piling up and driving down local prices, leading Polish farmers to protest nationwide.
“We did not agree — and still don’t — for this grain to hit the Polish or Romanian markets… and destabilize local markets,” Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters.
“We’re asking the European Commission to use all (possible) regulations to limit or block the arrival of Ukrainian grain in Poland as the country of final destination,” he added.
Poland is also counting on EU help in reselling the stockpiled grain in other markets.
“We’d like to get rid of this grain completely, as our storage sites are all full,” Morawiecki added.
The Polish leader said countries from his region would send a letter to Brussels evoking “all possible measures, including quotas and protective tariffs” that could limit the Ukrainian grain imports.
