At the time, the European Union offered the exemption from import tariffs and trade quotas to Ukraine as a gesture of solidarity in light of the Russian blockade. That measure was extended last year, and now extended again.
Farmers in five EU neighboring countries complained about disruption to their markets due to cheaper Ukrainian agricultural products entering their markets without import duties. Especially Ukrainian grain, sunflower oil, and poultry meat flooded the markets, causing concern within the agricultural sector.
EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski and agriculture ministers from several EU countries have repeatedly called for the exemption to be withdrawn. However, the majority of EU countries and most EU Commissioners viewed this as a lack of solidarity with the Ukrainian population.
The agreement now reached means the exemption will remain in effect for the quantities of goods annually exported through EU countries in 2022 and 2023. Beyond these amounts, the previous import duties will be reinstated. The restrictions on the exemption aim to prevent large quantities of cheap Ukrainian agricultural products from overwhelming EU markets.
In the coming months, the implementation of these new rules will be monitored and evaluated to ensure that the interests of both Ukraine and the EU member states are respected and protected, according to a press release from the European Commission.