Bratislava – At a meeting on Thursday, the Board of the Slovak Agricultural and Food Chamber (SPPK) reached a consensus regarding the impending end of canceled tariffs on trade with Ukraine within EU countries. SPPK Chairman Andrej Gajdoš and the board members unanimously conveyed their position: the EU should restore trading conditions to what they were before the war in Ukraine once the so-called customs holidays conclude. This stance was shared at a press conference, as reported by TASR.
SPPK officials highlighted that tariff exemptions have been in effect for Ukrainian goods entering the EU from June 1, 2022, to June 5, 2025. They noted that this relaxation in trade relations has led to significant disturbances in European markets in recent months. The adverse effects are particularly evident in the realms of market stability and traditional trading practices.
With the relaxation of customs barriers, Ukrainian products have rapidly occupied the market, displacing goods from other European producers, including those from Slovakia. Grain and oilseed producers have reported considerable impacts on pricing and sales opportunities, while other sectors, such as food producers, growers, and livestock breeders, have echoed similar apprehensions.
“The most favorable outcome for us regarding tariffs would be the reapplication of the trade rules that existed prior to the war in Ukraine. There is much at stake, including price volatility, loss of markets, and the importation of food produced under differing safety and production standards,” stated SPPK Chairman Andrej Gajdoš.
Consequently, the chamber calls on policymakers to implement a systematic European approach to manage commodity imports from Ukraine, ensuring that non-European products do not disrupt the market environment, thus avoiding the need for separate protective measures. “We seek to minimize market turbulence and ensure stability and certainty, enabling our producers to plan their business activities effectively,” Gajdoš added. The SPPK Board further emphasized that should Ukraine pursue EU membership, it must fully meet all pre-accession criteria without exceptions, just as current Union members, including Slovakia, have had to do. (May 22)
“The most favorable outcome for us regarding tariffs would be the reapplication of the trade rules that existed prior to the war in Ukraine. There is much at stake, including price volatility, loss of markets, and the importation of food produced under differing safety and production standards.” Andrej Gajdoš.
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