Poland has opted to maintain its ban on certain Ukrainian food imports despite the newly implemented EU-Ukraine free trade agreement. The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) pact, which came into effect, offers preferential access to EU markets for most Ukrainian goods, with protective quotas imposed on sensitive agricultural sectors.

This new deal replaces the Autonomous Trade Measures (ATMs) introduced by the EU in response to the Ukraine conflict escalation in February 2022. The ATMs allowed Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products to reach global markets, but the resulting influx of cheap produce sparked protests in neighboring countries, including Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia. Local farmers argued that they could not compete with the tariff-exempt goods.

Poland’s Ministry of Agriculture has announced that the indefinite ban on importing wheat, corn, rapeseed, sunflower, and certain processed products from Ukraine will remain in place. The ministry stated that the DCFTA does not fully address Poland’s concerns about the potential negative effects of Ukrainian imports on domestic farming, although it does include mechanisms to strengthen the protection of EU agricultural markets.

Additionally, Poland is seeking protective measures from the EU regarding Ukrainian steel imports, citing a significant increase in duty-free supplies that threatens local producers. According to reports, imports of Ukrainian steel to Poland rose by about half last year and increased another 27% in the first half of 2025.

The trade issues have contributed to rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland, despite the country’s vocal support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Other sources of friction include the mass influx of Ukrainian migrants and Kiev’s commemoration of Ukrainian nationalist figures involved in World War II massacres.

The decision to maintain the import ban reflects the complex nature of Poland’s relationship with Ukraine, which is marked by both cooperation and tensions. As the EU-Ukraine free trade agreement unfolds, Poland’s stance on Ukrainian imports will likely remain a subject of attention, with potential implications for the broader EU-Ukraine partnership.