Hungary Implements Ban on Ukrainian Grain Imports After September 15

Hungary, along with Romania, Slovakia, and Bulgaria, has agreed to ban Ukrainian grain imports if the European Union does not extend its current ban, which expires on September 15. While Bulgaria's Prime Minister sees waiving the ban as desirable to reduce food prices, Hungary's agriculture minister stated that the national ban would apply to a wider range of Ukrainian products than the current measures. Neighboring countries have faced increased competition and bottlenecks in their own markets since Ukraine became dependent on alternative EU export routes after Russia abandoned a grain deal.