Blockade of the border with Poland harms Polish suppliers of dairy and meat products – Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine

Ukraine exports more than 70 percent of its agricultural products, but imports a part of food products from Poland, among others, so the blocking by Polish carriers of a number of checkpoints on the Ukrainian-Polish border creates problems for producers from both countries. About it the first Deputy Minister of agrarian policy and food Taras Vysotsky said on air of the telethon.

“Over 70% of Ukrainian agricultural products are exported. Export by road transport is critical for value-added products, which, in particular, require special storage conditions, may be perishable, for example, meat and dairy products. We also grow fruits and vegetables, which, in particular, are exported,” said Vysotsky.

The deputy minister called the situation with the blocking of Ukrainian-Polish checkpoints by Polish carriers threatening.

According to him, a number of Ukrainian producers are trying to redirect products to other markets, but it is not always possible. In addition, many Ukrainian producers have put a lot of effort to sign long-term contracts with trade networks of the European Union countries, respectively, must adhere to the schedules of product delivery.

“The blockade continues in both directions. In particular, there is no possibility for European producers, Polish producers to sell their products to Ukraine. Therefore, will suffer losses both European and Polish producers of dairy products, meat products, different – absolutely illogical situation that harms both sides,” – emphasized Vysotsky.

In his opinion, the incident on the Ukrainian-Polish border is beneficial only to the initiative group that supports these protests.

Vysotskyy emphasized that this is a challenge for the export of Ukrainian food, which depends on road transport, and expressed hope that in the near future the problem will be resolved.

As reported, due to the protest of Polish carriers at the checkpoints “Jahodyn-Dorohusk”, “Krakivets-Korczewa” and “Rawa-Russkaya-Grebennoye”, which started on November 6, the queues for entry in front of the blocked checkpoints on the Ukrainian-Polish border from the Polish side reach up to 40 km.

According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, 20,000 vehicles were blocked at the Ukrainian-Polish border, while the flow of trucks through it dropped by 20-25%.

Tags: restrictions, Ukraine, Poland, Milk, Meat