The European Business Association (EBA) has reported significant disruptions in trade due to ongoing strikes by Polish carriers at the Ukrainian-Polish border crossings. The strikes, which have persisted for two weeks, are causing daily losses of UAH 1 million per exporter, with the total damage for surveyed companies reaching UAH 305.88 million.
The impact of the strikes is widespread, affecting trade across various regions including Poland, Germany, the Baltic countries, Western Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. Nearly half of the affected companies import products into Ukraine, while a significant portion also exports to Poland and Germany.
Anna Derevyanko from EBA highlighted the detrimental effects on trust in Ukrainian businesses and called for constructive dialogue to resolve the border standoffs. She emphasized that the ongoing strikes are leading to increased transportation costs as traffic is rerouted, resulting in extended lines at Slovakian and Hungarian borders and a shortage of vehicles. Carriers are avoiding assignments amidst the unrest, which has led to contractual penalties against Ukrainian companies. These penalties may lead to the loss of future orders and clientele.
Moreover, the transport shortage during the strike is causing penalties from buyers for unmet obligations, order cancellations, customer losses, and disruptions in Ukrainian production due to raw material shortages. These issues not only threaten the supply of necessary goods within Ukraine but also hinder continuous enterprise operations across various industries. The EBA advocates for urgent dialogue to mitigate logistical difficulties for producers reliant on crucial imports essential for ensuring public access to necessary commodities and sustaining uninterrupted business operations throughout Ukraine.
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