Warsaw: During a business conference in Bucharest on Tuesday, Mateusz Morawiecki and Nicolae Ciuca, the respective prime ministers of Poland and Romania, requested that the European Commission establish an export tracing mechanism for Ukrainian grain.

Senior government officials claim that since its Black Sea ports were shut down due to Russia's military operation, Ukraine has been shipping a large portion of its grain through neighbouring Eastern European nations.

Due to a number of circumstances, many of these shipments have never left Poland or Romania despite being much cheaper than local produce. This has led some local farmers to complain that Ukrainian imports undercut their own crops.

Also Read: RBI set to hike interest rate by 25 bps in April MPC meeting: Economists

The mechanisms for enforcing the traceability of Ukrainian exports and final destinations are currently being discussed with the European Commission, according to Ciuca. Morawiecki continued, saying that both countries "are fighting together for this grain to leave our countries" and that they are in need of Brussels' assistance.

"This grain was supposed to go to Africa and the Middle East, as the European Commission had promised. Meanwhile, some of this grain and other agricultural produce have remained, which has lowered prices for farmers due to procedural flaws and tardiness in some areas, according to a quote from the Polish prime minister.

Also Read:  UPI transactions over Rs. 2000 to carry surcharge of 1.1-pc from April 1

The oversupply of grain brought on by Ukrainian exports is thought to have cost farmers in Poland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Slovakia about €417 million ($451 million) in losses over the past year.

EU members have previously brought up the difficulties that Ukrainian grain transit poses for nations in Eastern Europe. In January, six countries, led by Poland, requested compensation for farmers and a halt to Ukrainian transit through their borders from Brussels.

Also Read:  Despite the EU ban, Russian diesel exports are increasing

Earlier this month, Petre Daea, the minister of agriculture for Romania, stated that the European Commission intended to allocate €56.3 million to compensate farmers.

However, he criticised that sum as being insufficient and urged Brussels to allocate more from the reserve fund of the European Commission. Later this week, the commission is anticipated to reach a decision.