The Struggles of Lithuanian Farmers with Russian Grain in the EU – Sky Bulletin
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Lithuanian agricultural producers have voiced their concerns over the significant volumes of Russian grain flooding the EU market, overshadowing issues raised by Ukrainian agricultural imports. This report was brought to light by the Lithuanian National Radio (LRT) on March 5.
The grievances from Lithuania contrast with the stance of Polish farmers, who initiated demonstrations against Ukrainian agricultural imports and the EU’s Green Deal earlier last month, opting to block numerous border crossings with Ukraine.
Polish farmers have expressed discontent, arguing that less expensive Ukrainian goods drive market prices down and give rise to unequal competition circumstances following the EU’s establishment of a complimentary trade deal with Kyiv in 2022, which aimed to support Ukraine’s economy as the country engages in conflict with Russia.
There have been disruptions at the prior Kalvarija-Budzisko checkpoint on the border between Lithuania and Poland since March 1, stemming from apprehensions that Ukrainian grain might be reaching Poland through Lithuania.
In response to these concerns, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal clarified on March 4 during a press conference that Ukrainian agriproducts like grain or corn, which are not allowed to be sold in Poland, are not finding their way into the Polish markets.
Meanwhile, Lithuanian farmers assert that it is Russian, and not Ukrainian grain, which is entering the EU in substantial quantities and posing a more salient issue.
As per Ausrys Macijauskas, the leader of the Lithuania Association of Grain Growers, “impressive figures” have been recorded with over 3 million tons of Russian grain coming through both Latvia and Lithuania in 2023 alone, contributing to the 12 million tones of Russian grain imported to the EU market the previous year.
Statistics from Eurostat reveal that the purchase of Russian grain has grown by 22% per month and by tenfold annually in 2023. Macijauskas suggests that the influx of Russian grain is a calculated strategy by Moscow to disturb the market prices throughout the European region.
He recommends that the EU could use its regulatory powers to intervene in the market during severe conditions, by purchasing foodstuffs whose prices have plunged dramatically. A possible intervention could include the acquisition of Ukrainian grain within Ukraine itself to stabilize the market, Macijauskas mentioned in a statement to LRT.
As a measure against the issue, Latvia has elected for a temporary prohibition on the importation of grain and other foodstuffs from Russia and Belarus since February, becoming the first EU nation to implement such a ban. On March 4, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that his country is considering approaching Brussels to call for sanctions on Russian and Belarusian agricultural products and food commodities.
FAQ Section
- Why are Lithuanian farmers raising concerns about Russian grain? Lithuanian farmers believe that the large influx of Russian grain to the EU market is causing significant market disruptions and driving down prices, creating financial strain on their operations.
- What actions have Polish farmers taken regarding agricultural imports? Polish farmers have protested against Ukrainian agricultural imports and blocked various border crossings, claiming that these imports are resulting in unfair competition and lowered prices.
- Has the EU intervened in the grain market? As of the latest reports, the EU has not intervened, but Lithuanian farmers suggest that the EU has the regulatory authority to purchase food products to stabilize the market in times of emergency, such as buying Ukrainian grain within Ukraine.
- What has Latvia done regarding imports of grain from Russia and Belarus? Latvia has temporarily banned the import of grain and other foodstuffs from Russia and Belarus, being the first EU country to take such action.
- Are Poland and Lithuania on the same page regarding agricultural imports? While both countries face challenges with agricultural imports, their concerns differ; Poland is focused on Ukrainian imports while Lithuania is troubled by Russian grain.
Conclusion
The agricultural sectors in Lithuania and Poland are facing different challenges pertaining to grain imports in the EU markets. Lithuanian farmers are particularly perturbed by the vast quantities of Russian grain entering the EU, an issue they deem to have a significant impact on market stability and farming livelihoods. Efforts to address these concerns are manifesting in various ways, such as Latvia’s import ban and Poland’s proposed sanctions, indicating a growing desire for regulatory measures within the EU to tackle the complex situation. The continued dialogue between farmers, national governments, and EU authorities is crucial for devising balanced solutions that safeguard the interests of all stakeholders involved in the agricultural market.
Note: TheUBJ is not the creator of the news content provided here. The content is sourced and adapted from various internet sources using AI news feed technology. The original link for reference is https://kyivindependent.com/lithuanian-farmers-complain-about-russian-grain-not-ukrainian/. We do not claim ownership or authorship of the cited news content.
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