Poland and Romania Reject Ukraine’s Call for More Grain Transit

Poland and Romania have declined to boost the transit of Ukrainian grain, even as Ukraine struggles to export its agricultural products due to Russia's blockade of the Black Sea. Ukraine's Agrarian Policy and Food Minister, Taras Vysotskyi, urged European counterparts in Brussels for increased transit capacity and €1.1 billion in financial aid to cover transportation costs, calling the situation "extremely, extremely critical."

Poland and Romania, which have the infrastructure to support higher transit volumes, cited domestic priorities as their reason for refusal. Romania's Agriculture Minister, Barna Tánczos, emphasized that Ukrainian grain surpluses and low Danube water levels are already straining Romanian ports, hindering local farmers' ability to sell their produce.

The refusal highlights the tension between the EU's support for Ukraine and the domestic political realities of member states. Ukrainian grain exports via road, rail, and river routes have dropped to less than half of pre-blockade levels. Vysotskyi warned that if the blockade continues, up to 35 million metric tons of grain could be stranded in Ukraine by year's end, jeopardizing farmers' ability to plant winter crops and potentially reducing acreage by 35-40%.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently reported that global food prices have reached their highest level since November 2022. Meanwhile, Turkey and the UN are attempting to broker new talks between Ukraine and Russia for a Black Sea ceasefire to resume grain exports, though Russia has reportedly rejected any proposals for a grain truce.