Czech farmers are grappling with a surplus of wheat that has resulted from an influx of cheap Ukrainian wheat into the country. According to a survey by the Czech Agricultural Union, the surplus of wheat has reached 2.6 million tons, representing a 40% increase from last year. The oversupply is worrying for Czech farmers, as the quality of the imported wheat is low, and the increased storage levels could threaten their ability to sell higher-quality wheat that is grown according to European Union standards.

The situation has been compounded by the fact that the European market is already saturated with Ukrainian wheat, which could potentially damage the sales of Czech farmers’ wheat. The chairman of the Czech Agricultural Union, Martin Pýcha, has warned that the excess wheat may have to be burned, further worsening the situation for farmers who are already struggling with reduced sales. Pýcha has also expressed concerns that Czech consumers may be forced to buy lower-quality flour and bread made from Ukrainian wheat.

While the Czech Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed that the country will continue to import wheat from Ukraine, other neighboring countries such as Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary have already banned wheat imports and other commodities from Ukraine due to the threat to their farmers’ livelihoods.

In June 2022, the European Union imposed import duties on Ukrainian agricultural and food products, suspending them for a year. The EU also initiated the “solidarity routes” program to facilitate wheat export mainly to non-EU countries such as North Africa. This move aimed to help farmers in countries affected by the influx of cheap Ukrainian wheat, but the oversupply of wheat in the Czech Republic remains a major concern.

The Czech Agricultural Union has called for urgent action to address the situation, including the implementation of measures to reduce the influx of low-quality wheat from Ukraine. The Union has also urged the Czech government to support farmers by providing incentives for the export of their higher-quality wheat to non-EU markets.

In conclusion, the oversupply of wheat in the Czech Republic due to the influx of cheap Ukrainian wheat has become a major concern for farmers who fear reduced sales of their higher-quality wheat. The situation has prompted neighboring countries to take action, and the European Union has implemented measures to address the issue. However, urgent action is still needed to support Czech farmers and prevent the wastage of excess wheat.

Article by Prague Forum