Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia support the extension until the end of the year of the EU ban on the import of Ukrainian grain to these countries, Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus said on Friday, Reuters reports.

A ship loaded with grainPhoto: Shutterstock

In May, the European Union allowed five of Ukraine’s neighbors to ban domestic sales of Ukrainian wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds, while allowing the transit of such goods for export to other countries.

This ban is due to expire on September 15.

“We support the ban on imports to our countries until the end of the year,” Telus said at a news conference.

“I mean, if we don’t do that, some countries will introduce their own restrictions. Our statement is clear,” he continued.

The agriculture ministers of the five countries agree to simultaneously support subsidies for grain transit and want other products to be added to the list of banned imports, such as raspberries in the case of Poland, Telus also said.