Moldova Warns Import Limits Threaten Farm Exports
Moldovan producers, particularly those exporting their products, could be adversely affected by the government's proposed "protectionist import policies."
This statement comes from Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vladimir Bolea, following requests from farmers to extend import controls on cereals and oilseeds from Ukraine through licensing measures.
To illustrate the potential impact of imports, Bolea highlighted that Moldova imported only 8,000 tons of sunflower seeds while domestically producing 800,000 tons. "Moldova is a net exporter, not an importer," he emphasised.
The Minister further cautioned that such import restrictions could also harm Moldovan agricultural exporters. "We strongly support our agricultural exporters, who constitute the vast majority of producers," he said. "However, implementing such stringent import controls without proper analysis, driven by emotions rather than facts, could lead to retaliatory export bans from other countries."
Bolea stressed the importance of cautious policy pronouncements due to Moldova's non-membership in the European Union. "EU farmers view no distinction between Moldovan and Ukrainian producers," he explained. "Therefore, we must be very careful in our pronouncements."
Translation by Iurie Tataru
