Poland and Romania say they cannot increase Ukrainian grain transit as Kyiv considers additional routes

Poland and Romania have said they are unable to increase the transit of Ukrainian agricultural products amid the blockade of exports via the Black Sea, POLITICO reports.

Ukraine has asked EU countries to increase the volumes of agricultural products transported via European routes. Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi stressed during a visit to Brussels that the export situation is critical.

“It is very, very critical,” Vysotskyi said.

According to the minister, Ukraine can currently export less than half of its potential volume through European rail, road and river routes. If the Black Sea blockade continues, up to 35 million tons of agricultural products could remain in Ukraine this year.

At the same time, Poland and Romania, whose transport infrastructure is crucial for alternative export routes, have said their ability to further increase transit is limited.

Romanian Agriculture Minister Barna Tánczos explained that Ukrainian grain, combined with low water levels on the Danube, is already putting significant pressure on the country’s ports.

“The interests of our own farmers remain the priority,” he said.

According to the minister, Romania is seeking to optimize logistics and last month signed a memorandum with Ukraine on simplifying border crossings and developing rail links. However, opportunities to increase capacity are limited.

“Everyone understands that we cannot double the number of trains, we cannot double the roads, railways and port capacity. We have what we have,” Tánczos said.

Poland also does not plan to increase its transit capacity for Ukrainian agricultural products.

“The Ministry of Infrastructure does not plan to introduce any changes aimed at increasing the transit of Ukrainian agricultural products,” Polish ministry spokeswoman Anna Szumańska said.

Against this backdrop, Ukraine is considering ports in Germany and the Netherlands as additional export routes. Germany’s Agriculture Ministry said Berlin was working to strengthen alternative export routes.

Vysotskyi warned that difficulties in selling grain and oilseeds are already depriving Ukrainian farmers of working capital. If the situation does not change by spring, the area planted for the next crop could decline by 35–40%.