Poland Plans to Rent or Purchase a Port in Odesa for Grain Exports
Poland is considering the possibility of purchasing or renting a port in the Ukrainian city of Odesa to secure access to the Black Sea for the export of Polish and European grain. This was stated by Poland’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Michał Kołodziejczak.
This is reported by AgroReview
According to Kołodziejczak, it is important to have a shared vision for the future in the relations between Warsaw and Kyiv. He noted:
“So far, I haven’t heard anything concrete from anyone. Why don’t we say in Poland — what I want to propose now — that Poles should talk to Ukrainians about renting it to us, for example, for 50 years or selling a port where Poles could have their grain port?”
Kołodziejczak emphasized that such a location could be found, particularly in Odesa. He also pointed out the importance of grain exports, stating that
“Where will Polish grain, European grain go? This way we will gain access to the Black Sea, where the average price — a ton of wheat is 100 zlotys higher, because transportation costs to African countries are lower.”
He asserted that grain exported through a port under Polish control could come from regions such as Zamość, Lublin Voivodeship, and Subcarpathia, where there are quality lands. Poland could also utilize the broad gauge railways already available in Ukraine for transporting grain.
When asked if he was overstepping the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ jurisdiction by developing these proposals, Kołodziejczak replied that he
“sends greetings to Minister Sikorski,”
emphasizing the need to convey these ideas to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as “conditions and needs for the protection of Polish agriculture.”
Independent analyst from Infograin, Mirosław Marczyniak, believes that the idea of exporting Polish grain through Odesa makes sense, noting:
“I talk about this at meetings with farmers, especially from southeastern Poland. But for this, we do not need a Polish port in Odesa. It is enough just not to hinder trading companies.”
The issue of further development of the grain and oil market in Ukraine and the Black Sea region will be discussed at the 23rd International Conference, which will take place on April 24 in Kyiv.