There was grain, now sugar from Ukraine. Manufacturers want an embargo

The National Association of Sugar Beet Growers published a statement in which they argue that since the temporary suspension of customs duties and quotas on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products, sugar imports from Ukraine to the EU have increased several dozen times. This results in lower prices of sugar produced in European Union countries.

Growers want an embargo on Ukrainian sugar

“The most vulnerable are the border countries – most of the volume imported into the EU remains in these countries. In recent months, significant declines in sugar prices have been recorded in Poland and other countries bordering Ukraine, which puts the Polish industry and agriculture in a less competitive position compared to partners from Western Europe,” we read in the release.

The organization claims that the solutions contained in the EU regulation in force until June 5, 2024, which allows for duty-free and unlimited import of agricultural products from Ukraine, should not be extended.

The association reminds that the current season will end with production of approximately 2.3 million tons of sugar, and growers are already worried whether this result will be maintained in the next one.

The authorities of Slovakia and Hungary have already introduced a ban on the import of sugar from Ukraine. Growers would like a similar ban in our country.

Krzysztof Paszyk: the matter needs to be regulated on several levels

The authors of the summons accuse Ukrainian producers of not meeting the quality standards related to the production process that apply in the EU, so they can produce and sell cheaper. European Union companies are in a losing position in this situation.

On Thursday morning on RMF FM, Krzysztof Paszyk, head of the Polish People’s Party club, was asked about the sense of such an embargo. He pointed out that Poland has been one of the largest sugar producers for many years. – These are thousands of Polish farms. There is also a whole network of sugar factories and various cooperators. I don’t think embargoes are the solution. We have been practicing this over the last few months under the PiS government, he argued. He added that the matter should be dealt with by the Polish authorities simultaneously at the EU level and in contacts with Ukraine.