Ukraine lifted embargo on Polish pork

Ukraine has given the green light to imports of Polish pork. The Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture announced the decision on its website, confirming that it agrees to imports of pork from Poland with the exclusion of meat from the Podlaskie Province

The decision was made following inspections conducted by Ukraininan inspectors at Polish producers and processors of pork.

The position of Polish pork will have to be built anew, some industry insiders believe. However, it is worth noting that the opening of the Ukrainian market is very important in terms of image. The consent of Ukrainian authorities to imports of pork from Poland gives Polish politicians and veterinary inspectorates an argument in negotiations with other countries. This could accelerate talks with foreign markets important for exporters.

Ukraine introduced an embargo on Polish pork on 17 February, right after African Swine Fever virus was discovered in two dead boars. However, it did not stop imports from Russia or Belarus, where ASF is present in pigs. A ban on beef imports has been in place since 2007. According to Marek Sawicki, Minister of Agriculture, in 2013 Poland sold to Ukraine pork worth over 80 million euros.