5 Jul 2024 13:50

Poland welcomes reinstatement import duties on Ukrainian eggs

MOSCOW. July 5 (Interfax) - Polish egg producers welcome the reinstatement of the customs duty on eggs imported by the European Union from Ukraine, head of the National Federation of Poultry Breeders and Egg Producers (KFHDiPJ) Paweł Podstawka said.

"We have been observing a stagnation of egg purchase prices for weeks. Our producers had to sell practically at the cost price because of the extremely low prices offered by our rivals from Ukraine. [...] Just a few hours have passed since the reinstatement of the customs duties, but we are already seeing a visible restoration of demand, which proves a trend towards market normalization," Ukrainian media quoted Podstawka's statement as reported by the Polish outlet farmer.pl.

Pawel Luty, press secretary for the Polish major egg producer Ferm Wozniak, agreed with Podstawka.

"The imposition of customs duties on eggs imported by the European Union from Ukraine has brought the first positive results for Polish egg producers and exporters. We are seeing a higher interest of counterparties in the EU and third countries in buying eggs from Poland. This is a step in the right direction easing pressure on local producers and strengthening their position on the global market. The egg market remains competitive, chiefly by price, while low egg production standards in Ukraine, associated with low production costs, constitute a long-term problem. The best example is the export of egg powder, which Ukrainian producers offer at a price about 25% lower than the cost of raw materials needed for such production in the EU," Luty said.

According to the industry association, egg production in Poland was estimated at around 14 billion in 2023. Every tenth egg in Europe was laid in Polish chicken coops. Every third egg produced on Polish farms was exported.

As reported, the European Commission introduced quotas on eggs and sugar imported from Ukraine between June 2, 2024, and June 5, 2025 due to the excess of quota-free volumes of their supplies to the European market.