SPPK is for the EU to return to the trade conditions before the war in Ukraine

Bratislava – The Board of the Slovak Agricultural and Food Chamber (SPPK) agreed in its meeting on Thursday on its position regarding the ending period of canceled tariffs for Ukraine in trade with EU countries. SPPK Chairman Andrej Gajdoš and other chamber members unanimously expressed their stance that the EU should return the conditions of trade relations to the period before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine after the end of the so-called customs holidays. SPPK representatives announced this at a press conference, TASR reports.

SPPK representatives reminded that tariff exemptions apply to Ukrainian commodities imported into the EU space from June 1, 2022, to June 5, 2025. According to SPPK, the relaxation of trade relations has caused significant turbulence in European markets in recent months. The negative consequences are palpable in the area of markets and traditional trade relations.

Ukrainian products have immediately filled the markets with relaxed customs barriers, pushing out food and commodities from other European producers, including Slovak ones. Not only grain producers but also oilseed producers have been talking for months about the significant impact on price levels and sales opportunities, which are unmistakable and fundamental. Others, including food producers, growers, and breeders, are also expressing similar concerns.

“For us, the best alternative regarding tariffs is for the trade rules that were in place before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine to apply. A lot is at stake, from price turbulence, loss of markets, and the import of food produced under different production and safety rules,” said SPPK Chairman Andrej Gajdoš.

Therefore, according to the chamber, farmers and food producers expect politicians to introduce a systematic European solution for the import of commodities from Ukraine so that non-European products do not affect the market environment and individual measures for market protection do not have to be adopted. “We would like to see lower market turbulence, stability, and certainty that would allow our producers to reliably plan their business intentions,” Gajdoš added. The SPPK Board also agreed that Ukraine, in the event of a potential EU accession, must unequivocally meet all pre-accession criteria 100% without exemptions, just as today’s member countries of the Union, including the Slovak Republic, had to do. (May 22)

“For us, the best alternative regarding tariffs is for the trade rules that were in place before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine to apply. A lot is at stake, from price turbulence, loss of markets, and the import of food produced under different production and safety rules.” Andrej Gajdoš.