Poland and Romania reject Ukraine’s plea for grain export help

Ukraine is facing a critical situation with its grain exports due to the Russian blockade of the Black Sea, which has disrupted traditional shipping routes. The country needs 1.1 billion euros to cover transportation costs and help farmers prepare for the spring planting season. Without this support, there could be a 35-40% reduction in planted acreage, exacerbating the crisis.

Taras Vysotsky, Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, recently visited Brussels to discuss alternative export routes through Europe. However, key neighboring countries Poland and Romania have refused to increase their transit capacity. Romania cited concerns over port overloading and the interests of its own farmers, while Poland’s Ministry of Infrastructure stated it has no plans to change its current transit policies.

The consequences of this blockade extend beyond Europe, potentially affecting 17% of global grain trade. Ukraine can currently export less than half of its usual volume through European rail, road, and river routes. If the blockade continues, up to 35 million metric tons of cargo could be stranded in Ukraine this year.

Kyiv has proposed expanding so-called “solidarity corridors”, alternative routes through the EU, to ports in Germany and the Netherlands. However, these routes significantly increase shipping costs, which Ukrainian farmers cannot afford without substantial losses.