EU lifts ban on Ukrainian grain imports

The European Commission will not extend a ban on Ukrainian grain imports, deciding at the last minute to let it lapse despite intense lobbying from eastern EU countries, according to the latest European Commission report.

The European Commission has analysed the data related to the impact of the exports of 4 categories of agricultural products on the EU market.

It has concluded that thanks to the work of the Coordination Platform and to the temporary measures introduced on 2 May 2023, the market distortions in the 5 Member States bordering Ukraine have disappeared. 

The European Commission has decided not to extend the ban on imports of Ukrainian grain to Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia. However, Ukraine needs to comply with certain rules.

Until then, Ukraine is to put in place from 16.09.2023 effective measures to control the export of 4 groups of goods in order to prevent any market distortions in the neighbouring Member States. Ukraine will submit an Action Plan to the platform no later than close-of-business on Monday 18 September 2023.

The European Commission and Ukraine will monitor the situation around grain exports. At the same time, the EC noted that it would not impose restrictions until "the measures taken by Ukraine are fully implemented."

From September 16 to 18, Ukraine must take effective measures to control the export of 4 groups of goods to prevent their impact on the markets of neighboring EU member states.