Czech farmers and food producers demand stricter import of goods from Ukraine

Prague – Czech farmers and food producers strongly oppose the extension of the current form of trade relations between the European Union and Ukraine and instead demand a tightening of the rules for importing goods from Ukraine, essentially reverting to the regime that existed before February 2022. This was stated in a joint press release by the Agrarian Chamber of the Czech Republic and the Food Chamber of the Czech Republic. They argue that the existing duty-free regime threatens the businesses of farmers and food producers by allowing most Ukrainian goods to enter the EU market without customs duties.

“Ukrainian agricultural production should long-term aim at traditional buyers outside the EU, not at our markets to the detriment of local entrepreneurs. It is time for the European Union to realize that only those in a strong position who do not need help can provide assistance,” said the president of the Agrarian Chamber of the Czech Republic Jan Doležal. The duty-free regime has applied to Ukrainian poultry, wheat, and sugar since 2022. Most goods were directed through the 27 member states to Africa and Asia. However, farmers and politicians in Poland, France, and other countries pointed out that goods from Ukraine are driving prices down in the domestic market.

The EU has a free trade agreement with Ukraine and, as a result of the Russian invasion in 2022, also abolished the remaining fees. The validity of the measures will expire on June 5, and Brussels plans to replace them with so-called transitional measures until both parties update their mutual trade agreement. The Financial Times (FT) previously reported that the EU is preparing to significantly increase tariffs on agricultural imports from Ukraine. However, Kyiv warned that tariffs from the EU would harm the Ukrainian economy and trust in the union. The Ukrainian government estimates that if trade conditions with the EU returned to the state before the Russian invasion, its annual revenues would drop by 3.5 billion euros (87.2 billion crowns).

According to Czech food producers, the specific impacts of the current trade conditions in the Czech Republic are evident; they claim that cheap imports from Ukraine have significantly contributed to the closure of the sugar factory in Hrušovany this year. “We have similar concerns regarding chicken meat, where unregulated imports could threaten domestic poultry farmers,” said the president of the Food Chamber Dana Večeřová. “It is necessary to help Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, but it is unacceptable for us that support for Ukraine leads to the destruction of our own businesses, an increase in unemployment, and a threat to our food self-sufficiency,” she added.

The chambers pointed out that producers in Ukraine do not adhere to the strict production and environmental standards that apply in the countries of the European Union. They argue that the inequality in rules creates an unfair competitive environment in the European market. (May 29)