Polish pm says Ukrainian grain not sold to Africa, Middle East

Mateusz Morawiecki, the Polish prime minister, said that grain from Ukraine will not be sold in Poland but will be delivered to Africa and the Middle East.

Morawiecki made the announcement on Saturday during a visit to Mysliwiec in north-central Poland.

His comment came after several media reported that Polish farmers are worried about Ukrainian grain being sold on the country's market.

Morawiecki said he had instructed the agriculture minister of Poland to examine the situation carefully and stop the process. He said that the grain coming from Ukraine to Poland is going to be sold in Africa and the Middle East to ensure the food security of the region.

Poland has its own food, its own grain, and we will protect it. Polish farmers, he added.

Ukraine, the world's fourth largest grain exporter, hasn't been able to export its harvest to the world due to the Russian invasion and the subsequent blockade of Black Sea ports. Before the war, many African countries relied on deliveries from Ukraine.

At a Wednesday meeting of the International Team for the Transport of Food and Agriculture Products from Ukraine, Henryk Kowalczyk, Poland's agriculture minister, said Poland was obliged to help Ukraine export grain to counter famine in Africa and Arab countries.