By KYIV. Nov 20 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukraine exports more than 70% of its agricultural products, so free access to various transport channels, in particular automobile ones through Ukrainian-Polish checkpoints, is critical not only for Ukrainian producers, but also Polish ones, First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotsky said on the air of the unified national telethon.
“More than 70% of Ukrainian agricultural products that are grown are exported. Export by road is critical for value-added products, which also require special storage conditions and can be perishable, for example, meat and dairy products. We also grow fruits and vegetables, which are also exported,” the deputy minister said.
According to him, the situation with the blocking of Ukrainian-Polish checkpoints by Polish carriers is threatening for agricultural exports. A number of manufacturers are trying to redirect their products to other markets, but this is not always possible. Many Ukrainian manufacturers have made a lot of efforts to sign long-term contracts with retail chains of the European Union countries, and accordingly have a delivery schedule.
“The blockade lasts in both directions. In particular, there is no opportunity for European producers, Polish producers of products to sell their products to Ukraine. Therefore, both European and Polish producers of dairy products, meat products, etc. are suffering losses – an absolutely illogical situation that causes damage to both parties,” Vysotsky said.
In his opinion, the incident on the Ukrainian-Polish border is beneficial exclusively to the initiative group that supports these protests.
Vysotsky said this is a challenge for the export of Ukrainian food, which depends on road transport, and expressed hope that the problem will be resolved in the near future.
As reported, due to the protest of Polish carriers that started on November 6 at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk, Krakovets-Korczowa and Rava-Ruska-Hrebenne checkpoints, queues for entry in front of blocked checkpoints on the Ukrainian-Polish border on the Polish side reach up to 40 kilometers. According to the information announced by the Ministry of Reconstruction, 20,000 vehicles were blocked on the Ukrainian-Polish border, and the flow of trucks through it fell by 20-25%.
