Following Poland’s lead, Hungary bans imports of Ukrainian agricultural products

The government of Hungary has banned the import of agricultural products from Ukraine until June 30, 2023, reports the country’s Cabinet of Ministers.

István Nagy, Hungary’s Minister of Agriculture, said that the decision was made “in the interests of Hungarian farming.” The ban affects imports grain and oil crops from Ukraine, as well as “a few other agricultural products.”

According to Nagy, Ukraine’s agricultural producers started exporting a large quantity of poultry, eggs, and honey, in addition to grain and oil crops, to European markets. The Hungarian government believes that a duty-free import regime for Ukrainian goods, combined with their low prices, could hurt the farmers of Central Europe.

Hungary called on the EU to reconsider its decision to allow duty-free exports from Ukraine. “Agricultural market participants expect fair market conditions for European agriculture,” an announcement from the country reads.

Hungary follows Poland, which temporarily halted imports of grain and a variety of other agricultural products, including milk, eggs, and poultry, from Ukraine on April 15. Ukraine’s Ministry of Agricultural Policy expressed disappointment with Poland’s decision, saying that it contradicts prior agreements between the two countries.