Poland and Romania refuse Ukraine increased grain transit through their territory — Politico

Poland and Romania have turned down Ukraine’s appeal to raise the volume of grain transiting their territories, according to a report by Politico. Romanian officials explained the refusal by pointing to overloaded ports and the need to shield local agricultural producers from market pressure. Poland echoed the stance, stating it has no plans to increase transit capacity.

Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy cautioned that if the situation does not improve by spring, the country’s sowing area for the next season could contract by 35 to 40 percent. The warning underscores the critical role of overland export routes for Ukrainian grain amid ongoing Black Sea shipping constraints.

The decision by the two neighboring EU members adds a new layer of uncertainty for Ukrainian exporters, who have relied heavily on rail and road corridors through Poland and Romania since the onset of the conflict. Both governments emphasized that domestic logistics and farmer interests limit any immediate expansion.

Analysts say the transit bottleneck could exacerbate global food‑security concerns, especially if Ukrainian harvests cannot reach international markets in a timely manner.