Hungarian Government Bans Import of Significant Part of Agricultural Products from Ukraine

The Hungarian government has banned the import of a significant portion of agricultural products from Ukraine. Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced this on Friday on his Facebook page. The government decree on measures concerning the transport of certain agricultural products from Ukraine was published in the «Hungarian Gazette» on the same day.

The ban covers beef, pork, lamb and goat meat, poultry, eggs, honey, vegetables, wheat, rye, barley, corn, buckwheat, flour, sunflower seeds, edible oil, and wine, if they originate from Ukraine. Transit shipments through Hungary are not subject to the ban, but strict conditions apply to them. In case of violation, the carrier may face a fine of up to 100% of the product's value, excluding VAT.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Economy Szabolcs Bona previously stated that he would not allow Ukrainian imported goods to jeopardize the livelihoods of Hungarian farmers and the supply of healthy food to the Hungarian population. The protection of Hungarian products, agricultural lands, and farmers is a national interest. This decision rectifies the situation after the state of emergency ended on May 14, when previous decrees lost their validity.