Poland has no plans to increase the transit of Ukrainian agricultural produce, whilst Romania has stated that its logistics capacity is limited. This comes against the backdrop of Ukraine’s appeal to the EU to strengthen alternative export routes due to restrictions on the operation of seaports.
Briefly about the main points
- The Polish Ministry of Infrastructure has no plans to take any measures to increase the transit of Ukrainian agricultural produce.
- Romania points to port congestion and the physical limitations of its logistics infrastructure.
- Ukraine has proposed that the EU consider €1.1 billion in compensation for additional logistical costs.
- As of 4 October, no EU decision on funding had been announced.
Ukraine’s request to the EU
Taras Vysotskyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, took part in the meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) in Brussels on 28–29 September. According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, Ukraine called on its partners to strengthen alternative routes for agricultural exports through Europe.
Ukraine has also proposed that the European Union consider allocating 1.1 billion euros to partially offset the additional costs incurred by longer logistics routes, particularly those passing through Germany. This funding has not been agreed: the conclusions of the EU Council meeting confirmed that issues facing the agricultural sector due to Russia’s war against Ukraine had been discussed, but no mention was made of any allocation of funds.
Statements made in Poland and Romania
Spokesperson for the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure Anna Shumanska She stated that the department has no plans to introduce changes to increase the transit of Ukrainian agricultural produce. Barna Tančoš He stated that the influx of Ukrainian grain, combined with low water levels on the Danube, is overburdening Romanian ports and making it difficult for local farmers to sell their harvest. He also highlighted the physical limitations on the capacity of roads, railways and ports.
These reports reflect the individual positions of Warsaw and Bucharest. They do not confirm the existence of a joint formal decision by the two countries to withhold any assistance from Ukraine.
Exports and sowing: confirmed figures and forecasts
According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, in September agricultural exports Ukraine’s total stood at 2.2 million tonnes. The ministry noted that restrictions on port operations are already putting pressure on producers’ incomes and posing risks to the 2027 sowing season.
According to the ministry’s estimates, if the restrictions remain in place, more than 30 million tonnes of unexported produce could remain in the country by the end of the season. Vysotsky also predicted a possible reduction in sown areas of 35–40% should the sales situation continue to deteriorate; this is an estimate based on a specific scenario, rather than a confirmed outcome.
