Polish Farmers Dump 160 Tons of Ukrainian Grain on Railway... Here's Why

Polish Farmers' Protests Intensify
Ukraine Calls It a "Case of Impunity and Irresponsibility"

Polish farmers' protests against the import of Ukrainian grain are intensifying, including incidents such as dumping 160 tons of Ukrainian grain onto railway tracks. On the 25th (local time), Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister, posted several photos on X (formerly Twitter) and said, "This is the scene of 160 tons of destroyed Ukrainian grain," adding, "This grain was scheduled to be transported to other countries through the (Polish) Gda?sk port."

He claimed that this was the fourth time Polish farmer protesters had damaged Ukrainian grain at railway stations, calling it "the fourth case of impunity and irresponsibility." He continued, "How long will the Polish government and police allow such destructive acts to continue?" and explained, "Once again, all this agricultural produce was sealed and being transported to other countries."

Grain from Ukraine abandoned on the railroad. [Image source=Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister X].

Polish farmers have been protesting since November last year, arguing that Ukrainian grain has been flooding their domestic market at low prices since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, harming their market.

Earlier, the European Union (EU) abolished tariffs and import quotas on Ukrainian grain as part of support measures after Russia's invasion in February 2022 blocked maritime export routes for Ukrainian grain. This measure was intended to stabilize global grain prices by enabling Ukrainian grain to be exported through Europe to the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

However, farmers in neighboring countries like Poland have expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that Ukrainian agricultural products flooding across Europe are driving down agricultural prices. On the 20th, Polish farmer protesters stopped a freight train carrying Ukrainian grain at the Medyka border checkpoint and dumped the grain onto the railway tracks in protest.

In response to this situation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a statement on the 21st, but a clear solution has yet to be found.

Exhausted by the protests, Ukrainian transport companies are staging "counter-protests." It has been reported that Ukrainian transport companies plan to hold protests with signs reading "Blocking Ukraine is a betrayal of European values" at three border points to Poland until the 15th of next month.

Meanwhile, the Polish government is negotiating import regulations with Ukraine and is trying to appease its domestic farmers. Michał Kołodziejczak, Poland's Deputy Minister of Agriculture, said in a local media interview, "The ball is currently in Ukraine's court," adding, "They either reach an agreement with us, or we will introduce additional regulations."