Polish producers ask to ban imports of Ukrainian sugar

Polish sugar beet producers have appealed to the new Minister of Agriculture Czesław Siekierski to consider banning sugar imports from Ukraine. 

The National Association of Sugar Beet Producers of Poland demanded an immediate embargo on imports of Ukrainian sugar, RMF FM radio station reports.

Their statement said that after the temporary suspension of customs duties and quotas on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products, imports of sugar from Ukraine to the EU increased dozens of times.

In recent months, there has been a significant drop in sugar prices in Poland and other countries bordering Ukraine, which puts Polish industry and agriculture in a less competitive position compared to partners from Western Europe, the association said.

Producers are asking for an embargo and no extension of the rules contained in an EU regulation valid until June 5, 2024, which allows duty-free and unrestricted imports of agricultural products from Ukraine.