Poles block grain from Ukraine but trade with Belarus and Russia: high-profile investigation

Last year, Poland banned the import of rapeseed meal from Ukraine. However, Poles still import it from Belarus. Poland also buys Russian agricultural products despite all the bans and sanctions.

This is stated in a new investigation by OP journalist Mykhailo Tkach. According to the information provided, the supply of grains, oilseeds, and meals from Belarus to Poland has been growing over the past two years.

In total, Poland paid Belarusians $55 million for agricultural products last year. Among other things, the Poles buy rapeseed meal (residues of rapeseed processing).

Since September 2023, Poland has banned the import of rapeseed meal from Ukraine, although imports from Belarus remained allowed. Moreover, the volumes increased after the embargo. In October-December, Poles purchased $7.7 million worth of rapeseed meal from Belarus.

The publication shows a recording of a conversation with representatives of the Polish company Agrolok. The company was contacted by a person who introduced himself as a manager of a Belarusian company and offered to buy rapeseed meal. The representative of the Polish company was immediately interested in the opportunity. Even after hearing about the Russian origin of the product, Agrolok did not refuse to buy it.

Ukrainian agricultural exports to Poland decreased by 40% last year. In total, last year Poland exported goods worth $3.7 billion to Russia and $2.8 billion to Belarus, according to UN data. Instead, the country imported goods worth $450 million from Belarus and $2.6 billion from Russia, half of which was fuel imports.

As for agricultural products, their imports from Russia to Poland reached $117 million and exceeded the level of 2021. In particular, imports of grains and oilseeds more than doubled.

Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the Polish authorities were ready to completely close the border with Ukraine. However, they are ready to take such a step with the consent of the Ukrainian side and only for a while. The blockade will apply only to cargo transportation and will not affect passenger transport.

The plan to completely close the border between Poland and Ukraine, announced by Polish Prime Minister Tusk, is unfavorable primarily to the former as it is not only about agricultural products.

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