EU-Ukraine agricultural trade relations during the 2022 war crisis

This article aims to examine the impact of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine in February 2022 on the EU trade policy towards Ukraine and its consequences, with a focus on the agricultural sector and mutual trade in farm products. The research employed theoretical explanations, descriptive and empirical analysis. It draws upon the review of academic literature on international trade and political economy, as well as legislation and other documents for its analytical part. For the empirical part, the study employs Eurostat statistical data to show the changes in trade in selected agricultural products between Ukraine and the EU. The comparison of trade turnover is based on a time series that includes data both before and after the Russian invasion. The research indicates that, as a response to the war, the EU has temporarily lifted restrictions on imports from Ukraine as a gesture of solidarity. The implementation of this policy has initially led to a sudden influx of cheaper Ukrainian agricultural products, including cereals, into the EU territory, particularly Ukraine's neighbouring countries. For wheat and meslin, the EU imports were 11 and 22 times higher in 2022 and 2023 than in 2021. This influx of grain has created an unbalanced market and raised concerns about the competitiveness and welfare of local agricultural producers. As a result, farmers in many EU countries organised protests and demonstrations calling for more protectionist, pro-agricultural policies at the EU level, inflaming relations with Ukraine and contributing to a loss of confidence in the EU institutions among part of the public.