Source: Oleoscope (Russia)
The European Union will not prolong the preferential treatment for Ukrainian agricultural imports beyond June 5. According to the European Commission, a backup plan involving a new set of tariffs is being prepared, though these will not be implemented “at the same level” as before.
This was revealed by Christoph Hansen, the European Commissioner for Agriculture, during an address to the Agriculture Committee in the European Parliament, as reported by RBC with a reference to Politico. Hansen stated, “The existing measures will, in any case, be removed. The Council has clearly indicated that an extension is not possible.”
However, Hansen also pointed out that following the expiration of preferential treatment, Ukraine will be granted emergency market access to the EU. He explained that the Commission is developing a new tariff quota arrangement, which will differ from the current system, but he emphasized that Kiev would still fare better under this new arrangement than if the previous agreement were reinstated.
A European official informed European Pravda that trade preferences and certain import limits – covering “the most sensitive products” such as eggs, honey, and chicken imposed last year – are set to end on June 6. Nonetheless, discussions are ongoing about maintaining preferential access for specific Ukrainian exports to the EU, such as steel.
Ukrainian authorities and representatives of farmers’ groups have cautioned that abolishing the duty-free regime without any substitutes could lead to export losses of €3.3 billion and cause a 2.5 percent drop in Ukraine’s GDP. According to insiders, Hansen is scheduled to meet with Ukraine’s Agriculture Minister Vitaliy Koval on April 10 to discuss future actions.
The policy decision by Brussels follows widespread demonstrations by farmers across Europe. Since 2023, agricultural workers in countries like Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia have blocked borders, demanding restrictions on affordable Ukrainian imports, which they claim are “destroying local markets.” Previously, agriculture ministers from Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia had urged the European Commission to revoke the increased quotas for Ukrainian agricultural products.