The EU’s move to reinstate tariff quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports from 6 June 2025 has drawn sharp criticism from Ukraine’s Agriculture Minister Vitalii Koval, who warned the decision could cost the country between €2.8 billion and €3.5 billion in 2025 alone and undermine efforts to plug the country into the bloc’s single market, Euroactiv reports.

The reintroduction of pre-2022 trade restrictions comes after EU member states, particularly those with large farming sectors, pushed for the change. The move cancels the full trade liberalization granted to Ukraine after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Minister warns of “moral losses” and economic harm

Speaking at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) in Brussels on Monday, Koval described the EU’s decision not only as an economic setback but a blow to public morale in Ukraine.

“What about the moral losses? This is not calculated in billions, but millions of Ukrainian citizens supporting integration into the EU,” he said.

Koval noted that agriculture has become Ukraine’s key economic pillar following the devastation of its other major sectors, including chemicals and steel. With farming now contributing 17% of Ukraine’s GDP, he emphasized the weight of the EU’s decision on the country’s overall recovery.

Poland welcomes decision

Poland’s Agriculture Minister Czesław Siekierski celebrated the rollback of liberalized trade with Ukraine, calling it a political win ahead of national elections scheduled for Sunday. Speaking on the sidelines of the AGRIFISH meeting, Siekierski said the move would help address the concerns of Polish farmers, who have been protesting over Ukrainian imports in recent years.

Future trade framework in the works

Koval said Ukraine’s goal remains to develop a long-term trade framework with the EU by the end of July. He framed the Monday visit to Brussels as an effort to counter negative narratives about Ukrainian exports, saying his job was to confront “myths” about disruptions caused by Ukraine’s products.