Publikacje

In 2023, when farmers in Europe protested against the EU’s Green Deal policy and the opening of borders to agricultural production from Ukraine, tensions related to Ukraine’s integration with the European Union became particularly apparent in Poland. The protests, blockades of the Polish-Ukrainian border and accompanying emotions showed that agriculture is not only a matter of economics, but also of security, identity and social sensitivity. Polish farmers’ fears about competition from Ukraine are often based on simplistic ideas, while trade data show that Polish food maintains its competitive advantages and finds outlets on the Ukrainian market.

The Divided Harvests report emphasises the need to move away from confrontational narratives in favour of fact-based cooperation and synergy. It is in Poland’s interest to further strengthen its export advantages and modernise its agricultural sector, and in Ukraine’s interest to adapt to EU standards and use integration as an opportunity for development. The authors recommend that the public policies of both countries focus on: alleviating social tensions, supporting producers’ adaptation to the common market, developing dialogue between farmers, and building cooperation mechanisms that can become the foundation for lasting integration within the EU.