EU Imposes New Restrictions on Ukrainian Agricultural Imports

The European Union has agreed to implement stricter caps on certain Ukrainian farm products, including poultry, eggs, sugar, and corn, aiming to address trade imbalances and protect EU farmers.

On April 8, the EU countries and the European Parliament preliminarily agreed on stricter restrictions for imports of specific Ukrainian agricultural products such as poultry, sugar, and corn.
The agreement extends the duty-free access granted to Ukrainian agricultural products since Russia's 2022 invasion but introduces caps based on average volumes between mid-2021 and end-2023.
Polish MEP Andrzej Halicki argues the restrictions are necessary to correct 'inequalities' in trade between Ukraine and the EU, while Ukrainian officials deem the curbs baseless.
The restrictions are expected to trim around €240 million from the earnings of Ukrainian farm products in the EU compared to 2023.
The measures highlight tensions between Ukraine's EU aspirations and current trade realities, with disagreements on agricultural trade posing potential obstacles to Ukraine's integration into the EU.