In recent days, information about the planned closure of the Ukrainian market for Polish dairy products has appeared in the public space on both sides of the border. The Polish Chamber of Milk and the Association of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine sent a joint statement to the ministers of agriculture of both countries, in which they emphasize that the desire of both Ukrainian and Polish milk producers is to restore undisturbed trade exchange. PIM emphasizes that the loss of the Ukrainian market may result in dramatic consequences for many cooperatives and farmers. Just like for Ukrainian importers and consumers.
According to the Polish Chamber of Milk, in recent days, information about the planned closure of the Ukrainian market for Polish dairy products has appeared in public space on both sides of the border. Additionally, Ukrainian retail chains sent e-mails to Polish milk processors with disturbing information indicating the risk of administrative closure of access to the Ukrainian market for our products.
Poland is a large exporter of dairy products to the Ukrainian market
PIM emphasizes that Poland is today a large exporter to the Ukrainian market of dairy products and, despite difficulties in crossing the border, sells large quantities of cheese, yogurt and other dairy products there.
Understanding the waves of agricultural protests, the Polish Chamber of Milk and the Association of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine sent a joint statement to the ministers of agriculture of both countries to remember farmers and milk processors during talks on the situation at the border and while looking for a solution to this unique problem.
“The loss of the Ukrainian market may result in dramatic consequences for many of our cooperatives and farmers. Just like for Ukrainian importers and consumers who value and expect Polish dairy products in Ukrainian stores,” notes PIM.
Support for starting negotiations
In the statement sent, the organizations declare their support for the initiation of negotiations between the governments of both countries in order to resolve this situation.
“The Association of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine and the Polish Chamber of Milk, concerned about the tense situation on the border of Ukraine and Poland, which hinders foreign trade in dairy products of both countries, declare their support for the initiation of negotiations between our governments in order to resolve this situation through negotiations and appropriate agreements” – the statement said.
This week, talks on this matter will continue between the Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine, Mykola Solskyi, and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Czesław Siekierski. Representatives of the dairy industry of both countries ask to take into account the common position of industry organizations representing the interests of dairy companies.
“We are perfectly aware of the difficulties faced by both Ukrainian farmers forced to work in the war zone and Polish farmers who are under constant pressure from excessively high environmental requirements and other restrictive requirements imposed under the Common Agricultural Policy ( CAP) in recent years. We also know that Polish farmers are under pressure from low prices of agricultural products,” the organizations note.
Polish exports of dairy products to Ukraine exceed imports
“Complaints about the excessive supply of Ukrainian dairy products to the Polish market are completely unfounded because, as in previous years, Polish exports of dairy products to Ukraine are five times higher than Ukrainian exports of dairy products to Poland,” the statement said.
The issue of trade in dairy products was already discussed by the governments of both countries last year. It was decided to remove dairy products from the lists of trade restrictions. Since then, the balance of trade in dairy products has remained virtually unchanged, and the overall situation has become more severe, as organizations emphasize.
An appeal to restore undisturbed trade
The organizations appeal to the governments of Ukraine and Poland to take into account the specificity of trade in dairy products between our countries.
“The desire of both Ukrainian and Polish milk producers is to restore undisturbed trade exchange, which both countries have been working on for years. This will be in the interest of the dairy industry both in Ukraine and Poland,” the statement emphasized.
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