Poland not to set benchmark prices on Ukrainian agrifood - ministry

MOSCOW. June 5 (Interfax) - Since the moment Poland banned imports of Ukrainian agricultural products in 2023, Polish customs authorities have not recorded instances of their admission to the domestic consumer market, Ukrainian media reported citing the Polish Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry's statement in response to the Polish association of cereal producers' (PZPRZ) idea to set benchmark prices for Ukrainian grain.

"The association proposed that an entity importing agricultural products to Poland from Ukraine or another country that is not part of the EU at a price that is lower than a benchmark price and offering them on the domestic market pay the difference between the purchasing price and the benchmark price. The funds collected this way should be distributed between farmers as support (subsidy), for instance per each produced/sold tonne, after submitting a relevant bill," Ukrainian media quoted a statement posted on the Polish agricultural news website farmer.pl.

The ministry pointed out that imports of wheat and corn from Ukraine have been banned indefinitely since mid-April 2023, and transit of Ukrainian agricultural products via Poland is allowed if they are delivered to Polish ports or a third country. The whole process is controlled by the National Revenue Administration.

Since the moment agrifood imports to Poland from Ukraine were banned, Polish customs bodies have not recorded instances of such products being made available on the domestic consumer market, the ministry said.

Commenting on the request for setting a benchmark price, the ministry said the government cannot regulate prices as this would go against EU rules. Moreover, it said, the European Commission might launch proceedings against Poland if it continues to unilaterally restrict imports from Ukraine.

"Such actions might prompt countermeasures from Ukraine, whether formal or informal, to restrict imports from Poland. They might apply to goods important in terms of our exports to Ukraine, such as dairy products," it said.