Poland to build grain port in Gdansk for Ukrainian agricultural exports

MOSCOW. Oct 10 (Interfax) - The first grain port in Poland will be built in Gdansk, in particular for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products, Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Robert Telus said at a meeting with voters in Przysucha, as Ukrainian media reported citing polskieradio24.pl.

RSSI (Agricultural and Food Investment Company) has signed an agreement with the port of Gdansk to implement the project, the statement said.

"The RSSI state-owned budgetary company on Tuesday signed an agreement with the port of Gdansk to establish a grain port. We have a grain port," the minister said, adding that this is an extremely important event.

The grain port will improve the shipment of grain, including from Ukraine, he said.

As reported, the European Commission announced on September 15 that it would not extend restrictions on the imports of Ukrainian agricultural products by five EU member states neighboring Ukraine, namely Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, on certain terms that would help avoid a new spike in deliveries.

The restrictions were imposed on May 2 and applied to the imports of wheat, rapeseed, sunflower seed and corn. The five Eastern European countries said that Ukrainian agricultural products were imported duty free and remained in their territories, thus affecting local farmers.

As the restrictions were lifted, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia imposed unilateral bans. Poland broadened the list of prohibited imports with rapeseed cake and meal, as well as corn bran, wheat flour and derivative products. Hungary broadened the list to 24 goods.

Ukraine filed a claim with the World Trade Organization and accused Poland, Hungary and Slovakia of discriminating against its agricultural products. Ukraine is currently negotiating the introduction of a licensing procedure for exports of Ukrainian agricultural products with mandatory verification in each of the five countries.