Poland and Ukraine are engaged in discussions to develop alternative trade routes following the the end of the grain corridor deal on 17th July. The aim is to establish "solidarity corridors" that would enable Ukraine to transport key agricultural exports to various parts of Europe.
The creation of these potential pathways highlights the interconnectedness between Ukraine and Europe regarding food supplies. With the Black Sea trade disrupted, Ukraine and its partners are exploring creative solutions to maintain agricultural flows, underscoring Ukraine's role as a major global exporter of crops.
In a recent meeting, Poland's Minister of Agriculture, Robert Telus, proposed measures to streamline the transit of Ukrainian cereals through Poland to EU seaports. This could allow Ukraine to resume vital food exports without adversely impacting Poland's domestic agricultural sector, which has been the centre of debate, highlighted by Mintec here.
Ukraine’s Minister of Agricultural Policy, Mykola Solski, expressed interest in these proposals and pledged to provide draft solutions to optimise transit processes. With Ukraine’s Black Sea ports inoperable after the closure of the grain corridor deal on 17th July, alternative export routes have become a priority for Ukrainian exporters as most of Ukraine’s agricultural exports are transported by sea.
Separately, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki appears open to relocating inspections of Ukrainian agricultural goods away from the Polish-Ukrainian border. Market players have told Mintec that they are optimistic this could significantly boost Ukraine's capacity to ship grains through Poland and the Baltic states, potentially providing increased supplies of Ukrainian goods such as sunflower oil and seed, wheat, corn and rapeseed.
Given Black Sea trade disruptions, establishing efficient corridors via Poland and the Baltics could help mitigate global food security risks.
According to market players, the collaboration between Warsaw and Kyiv highlights creative solutions that will be important for maintaining Ukrainian food exports. Their efforts to facilitate crop flows to the rest of the world via solidarity corridors will be critical amid the ongoing trade challenges.
