Polish producers urge government to resume Ukrainian rapeseed imports to avoid shortage
Polish oil producers demand lifting of ban on Ukrainian rapeseed imports (photo: Getty Images)
Polish oil producers are asking the government to lift the ban on importing Ukrainian rapeseed, which was introduced in 2023. The request comes in response to a lower harvest compared to previous years, which could lead to a shortage, Money.pl reports.
The Polish Association of Oil Producers (PSPO), which represents 95% of the country's oil and fat processing plants, has appealed to Prime Minister Donald Tusk to intervene and amend the regulation that bans the import of agricultural products from Ukraine.
The reason is a projected rapeseed shortage on the Polish market. In 2025–2026, the deficit may reach at least 500,000 tons, posing a threat to the operations of domestic seed-processing facilities.
The association stated that the domestic oil industry is already in an "extremely difficult" situation, facing a raw material shortage despite Poland's annual rapeseed processing capacity exceeding 4 million tons.
Producers argue that the current situation puts Polish companies at a disadvantage compared to other EU countries, which can purchase Ukrainian rapeseed without restrictions. Meanwhile, finished oil products are allowed into Poland, which they say harms local producers.
The association emphasized that lifting the ban would not harm Polish farmers, since domestic rapeseed volumes would still be purchased at European prices. If there are concerns about excessive imports from Ukraine, quantity-based limits could be introduced to balance the market.
It also noted that since 2022, Ukraine's export infrastructure has changed significantly, making another wave of large-scale rapeseed deliveries to Poland unlikely.
However, Poland's Ministry of Economic Development and Technology currently has no plans to lift the ban or implement quotas by amending the 2023 regulation. The ministry explained that it is waiting for the conclusion of negotiations on revising the trade agreement between the EU and Ukraine.
Ban on imports from Ukraine
The first wave of border blockades between Ukraine and Poland began in 2023. Polish farmers staged protests demanding either the reinstatement of tariffs on Ukrainian grain or a full ban on agricultural imports from Ukraine.
Leaders of the country's agricultural unions explained that the surplus of Ukrainian grain had caused a sharp drop in purchasing prices for local producers.
In April 2023, the European Commission approved a ban on the import of several Ukrainian products into Poland, including sunflower oil, rapeseed, rapeseed seeds, and corn. However, the transit of these goods through Poland remained allowed.
Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus stated that Poland would not lift these restrictions until mechanisms are in place to reliably protect domestic farmers from cheap imports.
