Due to the “influx” of Ukrainian grain in the countries of Eastern Europe, local farmers and agricultural producers lose profits and can become an engine of political change, writes Bloomberg.
The agency notes that after the start of the conflict in Ukraine, the countries of Eastern Europe became a transshipment point for the transportation of agricultural products from Ukraine, but the grain is almost not sent to the poorest countries, but settles in storage facilities that are already almost full.
Bloomberg emphasizes that initially the EU countries stockpiled grain because of the threat of its shortage amid the conflict in Ukraine, but after the signing of the grain deal, falling global demand and a record harvest in Russia, prices for agricultural products fell. This has led to a reduction in the cost of production for farmers in Eastern Europe, while the cost of fertilizer and electricity continued to rise.
According to the agency’s analysts, if the volume of Ukrainian supplies to the EU is not limited, this may lead to “riots” of farms. In particular, recently a group of disgruntled farmers threw eggs at Polish Minister of Agriculture Henryk Kowalczyk, who back in the summer advised producers not to sell their grain, since prices for it “are unlikely to fall.”
In addition to Poland, agrarians can influence the political situation in Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia, where parliamentary elections are to be held soon. So, in Slovakia, ex-Prime Minister Robert Fico, who opposes anti-Russian sanctions and does not support the supply of weapons to Ukraine, leads in the polls. At the same time, protests by local farmers continue in Bulgaria and Romania.
Recall, earlier it was reported that Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia appealed to the EU authorities with a request to buy accumulated Ukrainian food from them.
Source: Rosbalt
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
