On Sunday, the European Commission called on Poland, Hungary and Slovakia to be constructive after they unilaterally announced that they would extend the ban on grain imports from Ukraine despite the Commission’s decision to end the ban, Reuters reports, citing a European Commission spokesman.
“We are aware of statements by some member states regarding unilateral measures. It is now important that all countries work in a spirit of compromise and engage in constructive cooperation,” the Commission spokeswoman said.
According to her, Brussels is now focused on “putting in place and making work the new system that has just been announced.”
In particular, Reuters reports that a meeting with representatives of all interested EU countries will be held on Monday to discuss the issue of Ukrainian grain imports in more detail.
The news agency notes that Ukraine was one of the world’s leading grain exporters before Russia’s invasion in 2022 reduced its ability to deliver agricultural products to world markets through Black Sea ports. Since then, Ukrainian farmers have relied on grain exports through neighboring countries.
However, the influx of grains and oilseeds to neighboring countries has affected the incomes of local farmers and led governments to ban imports of agricultural products from Ukraine.
As reported, the ban on the export of wheat, barley, rapeseed and sunflower seeds from Ukraine to Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria, introduced on May 2 for the period until June 5, was extended until September 15.
On Friday, September 15, the EU allowed the ban to be lifted after Ukraine promised to take measures to tighten export controls to neighboring countries.
EU Diplomacy Chief Josep Borrell says the events in Ukraine threaten global food security, and the EU will discuss with the UN Secretary General the prospect of reviving the “grain deal”.
“This affects all countries, but especially the weakest and poorest. In August 2022, the UN played a crucial role in mitigating this suffering through the Black Sea Grain Initiative. However, in July, Russia decided to abandon this agreement,” Borrell wrote in his blog post, looking ahead to the UN General Assembly’s High Level Week that opens in New York.
“We will discuss with UN Secretary General Guterres ways and means to revive it. Sustainable development goals are in the focus of the UNGA,” said the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs.
In Ukraine, on Monday, September 18, there will be no precipitation, at night and in the morning in the western and northeastern regions there will be fog in some places, the Ukrainian Weather Center reports.
The wind is mostly southerly, 5-10 m/s. The temperature at night will be 8-13°, on the coast 12-17°; during the day 22-27°, in the highlands of the Carpathians 16-21°.
No precipitation in Kyiv on Monday, September 18. South wind, 5-10 m / s. The temperature at night will be 10-12°, during the day about 25°.
According to the Borys Sreznevsky Central Geophysical Observatory. On September 18, the highest daytime temperature in Kyiv was 29.7° in 2015, the lowest nighttime temperature was 1.4° in 1958.
In Ukraine, on Tuesday, September 19, no precipitation, only in the afternoon in the western regions there will be short-term rains and thunderstorms.
The wind is mostly south, 5-10 m / s. The temperature at night will be 8-13°, on the coast and in Transcarpathia 12-17°; during the day in Ukraine 22-27°.
No precipitation in Kyiv on Tuesday. South wind, 5-10 m / s. Temperature at night 11-13°, during the day about 25°.
Import changes in % to previous period in 2022-2023
Source: Open4Business.com.ua and experts.news
The bulk carrier PUMA has left the port of Odesa with 30,000 tons of rapeseed and metal, becoming the fifth vessel to use the temporary evacuation corridor from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports since September 15, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Ministry of Reconstruction Oleksandr Kubrakov.
“Due to the blocking of the #BSGI (Black Sea Grain Initiative) and the world’s growing demand for agricultural products, Ukraine is considering the possibility of using the corridor for ships with non-military cargo, especially agricultural products, mainly to Africa and Asia,” he tweeted on Friday.
30 rapeseed, lport, METAL, ODESA, PUMA
Romania is waiting for Ukraine to submit an action plan for effective measures to control grain exports “to prevent market distortion,” which Ukraine promised to submit by the end of Monday, September 18, according to a press release from the Bucharest government, local media reported on Friday evening.
The executive’s statement comes after the European Commission on Friday decided to lift restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports in five countries, including Romania, but asked Kyiv to develop a plan for effective measures to control transportation.
“Depending on the Action Plan presented by the Ukrainian side, the Romanian government will decide on appropriate measures to protect Romanian farmers,” the statement said.
“The government is in constant contact with the European Commission and the Ukrainian side to ensure that the new mechanism for restricting imports of Ukrainian products proposed by the EC prevents distortion of the markets of EU member states,” the statement said.
