"The Mercosur agreement continues to rise immense doubts.
More and more countries, including Poland, indicate that it is not just about this 1 circumstantial agreement. The European Union has more than 40 different free trade agreements signed and the quotas designated under these agreements are cumulative. Therefore, Poland says very clearly that all this needs to be considered – emphasizes Andrzej Gantner, Vice president of the Polish Federation of Food Manufacturers in an interview with Newseria agency.
It's a full free trade strategy that accumulates from tens of another agreements.
The trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur countries can importantly distort competition in the agricultural marketplace and weaken the position of the EU, including Polish producers – inform farmers and food producers. The Agreement opposes any EU countries which request safeguard clauses and import limits. The problem, however, is not only this circumstantial agreement. It is about the full free trade system, which accumulates from tens of another agreements,” emphasises Andrzej Gantner.
EU negotiations with the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) on trade partnership, political dialog and sectoral cooperation lasted a 4th of a century. They ended with the signing of the agreement on December 6, 2024. The final text of the agreement is presently under way. In order to be able to enter into force, at least 55% of the associate States representing at least 65% of the population of the Union request approval.
The EU has concluded more than 40 agreements with more than 70 countries and regions
The individual points of the agreement, peculiarly in the field of marketplace beginning for agri-food products, rise objections from farmers. On 28 July, Polish MPs unanimously opposed the EU's trade agreement with Mercosur countries. The negative position is besides maintained by the government and the Ministry of Agriculture. another EU countries, including France, Austria, Ireland, Italy and Romania, besides have major doubts.
According to the Council, the EU has concluded more than 40 agreements with more than 70 countries and regions. In the case of around 20 successive agreements, negotiations have been concluded, but the process of their adoption and ratification is ongoing. respective more agreements are presently under negotiation. Although on the 1 hand agreements open up fresh outlets for EU agricultural products, on the another hand competitive imports from 3rd countries, especially in delicate sectors, can endanger home producers.
For us, it is very crucial that additional agricultural products enter the European market
Poland is simply a large exporter. For us, it is very crucial that additional agricultural products enter the European market. But for all agricultural producers and processors in the EU, it is besides crucial whether they enter on equal terms or whether producers, even from Mercosur countries, will meet the same requirements that we have in the EU, thanks to which we pride ourselves on safe, good-quality food. Will it be fair competition, or will it be only and exclusively price competition? And there is no agreement in many countries,” explains PFPŻ vice president.
The countries opposed to the agreement argue that their agricultural sectors may seriously endure from increased imports of cheaper products, including meat and cereals from Mercosur countries. They besides argue that agricultural production in the South American block is subject to lower food protection standards and does not meet the principles of sustainable development. The Polish Ministry of Agriculture besides points to the unresolved problem of import of agricultural production produced under different conditions and production standards.
The current situation on the agricultural marketplace is sufficiently unstable, besides due to the uncertain future of imports from Ukraine
– It is clear that there are more concerns from individual countries, including Poland, that the agreement will not be beneficial for us, however, that in cumulation with another agreements it can lead to further destabilisation of food and agricultural markets within the European Union, weaken our export capacity and our competitiveness. Everything points to the fact that Europe as specified is not ready to grow the free trade zones in agriculture besides rapidly – says Andrzej Gantner.
As the expert points out, the current situation on the agricultural marketplace is sufficiently unstable, besides due to the uncertain future of imports from Ukraine. Since 2022, EU trade with Ukraine has regulated a strategy of temporary autonomous measures (ATM) which, following the Russian invasion, allowed for the abolition of customs duties on Ukrainian agricultural exports. The regulation expired in June 2025. According to the fresh agreement, import trade quotas from Ukraine increased for delicate products specified as eggs, sugar and wheat, but their level is intended to guarantee the stableness of the EU market. Poultry, honey and corn are besides included in the delicate products. However, this is simply a temporary solution which will apply until a long-term agreement is negotiated with Ukraine.
