"Don't fall for deception and manipulation,” wrote Zvarych.
“The hostility towards products from Ukraine by protesting farmers is built on myths that contradict reality. The campaign against agricultural products from Ukraine is baseless. The truth is different and not as 'threatening' to farmers in Poland and other EU countries."
Zvarych refuted the most widespread myths in Poland regarding agricultural products from Ukraine. "Before entering the European market, Ukrainian products are checked for quality in accordance with EU legislation,” explained Zvarych.
“Otherwise, they wouldn't make it to the EU market. Compared to the amount of Polish products in Ukrainian stores, the presence of products from Ukraine in Polish stores is negligible."
Grain from Ukraine only transits through Poland since September 2023. "Today, only 5% of the total export of Ukrainian grain passes through Poland in transit,” Zvarych stated.
“Meanwhile, the 'grain corridor' through the Black Sea and the Danube remains the main route."
The total land bank of large agricultural enterprises (so-called agroholdings) in Ukraine is less than 4 million hectares, or about 10% of Ukraine's agricultural lands. Individual (small and medium) farms play a dominant role in agricultural production in Ukraine, producing 77% of the output, Zvarych stated.
Large agricultural enterprises account for only 23% of agricultural production.
"The blockade of the border by Polish farmers affects the entire Polish-Ukrainian trade exchange and the economies of our countries,” Zvarych concluded.
“Not only does Ukraine lose from this, but also Polish entrepreneurs, who export goods to the Ukrainian market worth about $12 billion annually."
Poland asked Ukraine to cancel the electronic queue for three border crossing points, on Feb. 20. Polish protesters blocked the railway near the Medyka-Shehyni crossing point and dumped grain, that same day.
A rally of Polish farmers on Feb. 20 displayed a banner calling on Putin to "deal with Ukraine and Brussels." Police began an investigation.
Retailers claimed on Feb. 22 that the border blockade would cause an increase in goods prices.
Six border crossings were blocked as of Feb. 22, specifically, Yahodyn, Ustyluh, Uhryniv, Rava-Ruska, Shehyni, and Krakovets.
Grain was dumped from eight wagons of Ukrainian agricultural products on the night of Feb. 25. This was the fourth similar incident in recent days. Poland stated it could not collect all the Ukrainian grain spilled from the wagons and would dispose of it.