Balkan farmers protest influx of Ukrainian grain

Hundreds of Bulgarian and Romanian farmers on Friday blocked border checkpoints and staged protests over an increased supply of Ukrainian grain. The European Union last year waived customs duties and import quotas on Ukrainian agricultural products after Russian forces blockaded Black Sea ports. The resulting influx of cheap Ukrainian goods has driven down prices in Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, and other nearby countries. Farmers in those countries say they may not be able to sell this season’s harvest at prices above production cost.

What about other trade routes? The United Nations and Turkey last July brokered a deal with Russia to allow Ukraine to export grain through the Black Sea. Russia last month agreed to extend the agreement for 60 days, but Moscow says it may pull out of the arrangement if its conditions are not met.

Dig deeper: Read Leo Briceno’s report in The Stew about a recent congressional analysis of the arsenal that U.S. officials have delivered to Ukraine.