Member-only story
Poland & Hungary Betray Ukraine? — On the Banning of Ukrainian Grain Imports
Poland and Hungary have announced that they are banning grain and other foodstuffs imports to their countries since they have undercut farmers.
Of course, Ukraine took some issue with this as grain exports now account for a significant source of their foreign currency. But some evidence points to Zelensky’s understanding — and even approval.
The European Union also took issue with this as trade decisions are meant to be made at the supranational level.
Prior to the full-scale invasion, Ukraine accounted for about 10 percent of the world’s wheat exports, rightly deserving the title of Europe’s breadbasket.
So, this is significant.
Let me explain.
Five eastern EU countries — Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia — are having dire problems with their agricultural output because of the large import of grain from Ukraine to the EU.
The import of Ukrainian grain and foodstuffs typically channels through the Black Sea, but due to problems related to Russia’s full-scale invasion, and with the EU’s removal of tariffs, they have turned to export through their immediate EU neighbors.
