Moldovan farmers demand extended import curbs on Ukrainian grain
Farmers in Moldova are urging national authorities to reinstate the mandatory licensing requirement for grain and oilseed imports from neighboring Ukraine.
The producers argue that a permanent mechanism is essential until the cessation of the conflict in Ukraine to safeguard domestic yields and preserve the integrity of Moldovan exports to European markets.
Strategic economic interests and transparency
"Licensing is not an act of excessive protectionism, but a measure of economic pragmatism and the protection of strategic national interests," stated the "Forța Fermierilor" (Farmers' Force) Association.
The association is calling on the Moldovan government to extend this protocol and guarantee absolute transparency in the issuance of permits.
Market volatility and the risk of Romanian trade barriers
According to local agriculturalists, the experience of recent years has demonstrated that uncontrolled, massive imports from Ukraine generate significant price fluctuations on the internal market. These shifts, they claim, effectively dismantle the financial viability of local producers.
The licensing system allows for the monitoring of imported volumes, providing the stability required for the planning of indigenous agricultural production.
"The Romanian market, Moldova's primary commercial partner for agricultural products, is exceptionally sensitive to competition from Ukraine," the association noted in their formal appeal.
Preventing the collapse of European export routes
The farmers warned of a credible risk where Ukrainian imports might be masked under a Moldovan flag and re-exported to Romania, an act that would shatter the trust of regional trade partners. Even processed goods derived from Ukrainian raw materials could face entry restrictions in Romania.
Should Romanian authorities suspect that Moldovan goods are merely relabeled or processed Ukrainian imports, they may be compelled by their own domestic producers to impose blanket restrictions on all Moldovan agricultural exports.
"This scenario would be catastrophic for legitimate Moldovan farmers who export to the European Union market," the letter concluded.
Legislative background and current status
In June 2025, farmers previously petitioned the government to extend the licensing mechanism and include rapeseed in the regulated list; the government subsequently mandated the requirement through the end of 2025.
The permit system for importing wheat, corn, and sunflower seeds was originally introduced in October 2023 and has seen multiple extensions. Currently, the import of these commodities into Moldova is permitted only via licenses issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry.
To date, the licensing protocol has successfully prevented a surplus of low-cost imports from Ukraine, which would have otherwise drastically devalued domestic agricultural output.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
