EU Country Advocates for Prohibition on Ukrainian Eggs
Bulgaria has requested that the European Commission pause imports of chicken eggs from Ukraine, citing their negative impact on the domestic market. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Bulgaria has urged the European Commission to impose a ban on chicken eggs from Ukraine, citing that domestic producers are facing unfair competition due to a surge of inexpensive imports.
This request was presented by Bulgarian Agriculture Minister Georgi Tahov during the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels on Monday, as reported by the ministry.
Tahov emphasized that the influx of eggs from Ukraine, which are priced up to 30% lower than local products, has significantly impacted Bulgaria's domestic production.
Official data reveals that Ukraine exported over 2,600 tons of eggs to Bulgaria in the first half of 2024, which is five times the volume from the same period last year.
This situation “puts serious pressure on prices on the domestic market” and has led to numerous bankruptcies among Bulgarian poultry farms, Tahov pointed out.
“We firmly support the people of Ukraine, but this should in no way cause bankruptcies and violate the rights of our farmers,” he asserted.
If Bulgaria's concerns remain unaddressed, Tahov indicated that the country would be prepared to explore “protective measures” to restrict trade with Ukraine.
Earlier in the year, the European Parliament decided to extend the suspension of all tariffs and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural imports into the EU until June 2025.
The free-trade arrangement includes an “emergency brake” for poultry, eggs, and sugar, allowing tariffs to be reinstated if imports surpass average levels set for 2022 and 2023.
The EU had lifted tariffs and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural products in 2022 to facilitate the export of grain and other farm goods from Ukraine to international markets.
Nonetheless, a substantial influx of low-cost agricultural imports from Ukraine has inundated Eastern European nations. The surge in grain imports from the country was central to farmer protests that occurred across the EU earlier this year.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
This request was presented by Bulgarian Agriculture Minister Georgi Tahov during the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels on Monday, as reported by the ministry.
Tahov emphasized that the influx of eggs from Ukraine, which are priced up to 30% lower than local products, has significantly impacted Bulgaria's domestic production.
Official data reveals that Ukraine exported over 2,600 tons of eggs to Bulgaria in the first half of 2024, which is five times the volume from the same period last year.
This situation “puts serious pressure on prices on the domestic market” and has led to numerous bankruptcies among Bulgarian poultry farms, Tahov pointed out.
“We firmly support the people of Ukraine, but this should in no way cause bankruptcies and violate the rights of our farmers,” he asserted.
If Bulgaria's concerns remain unaddressed, Tahov indicated that the country would be prepared to explore “protective measures” to restrict trade with Ukraine.
Earlier in the year, the European Parliament decided to extend the suspension of all tariffs and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural imports into the EU until June 2025.
The free-trade arrangement includes an “emergency brake” for poultry, eggs, and sugar, allowing tariffs to be reinstated if imports surpass average levels set for 2022 and 2023.
The EU had lifted tariffs and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural products in 2022 to facilitate the export of grain and other farm goods from Ukraine to international markets.
Nonetheless, a substantial influx of low-cost agricultural imports from Ukraine has inundated Eastern European nations. The surge in grain imports from the country was central to farmer protests that occurred across the EU earlier this year.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
