Chisinau defends EU food safety standards amid potential Ukrainian wine licensing
Moldovan and Ukrainian authorities are engaged in daily technical negotiations to resolve a trade dispute following Chisinau's ban on Ukrainian poultry. Vice Prime Minister Eugeniu Osmochescu clarified that while Kiev is considering licensing requirements for Moldovan wine, no full embargo is currently on the table.
The friction began on January 26, when Moldova suspended poultry imports from Ukraine after detecting metronidazol residues. This antibiotic is strictly regulated under European safety protocols, which Moldova has adopted to secure its own meat and egg exports to the European Union market.
"For us, the safety of Moldovan consumers is paramount," stated Osmochescu. He emphasized that Moldova’s alignment with EU food safety standards is non-negotiable, leaving no room for compromising on product quality regardless of trade pressures.
Kiev signaled it may introduce a licensing regime for Moldovan grapes, wine, and ethyl alcohol starting March 5 or 6. This potential move targets a sector valued at approximately €37.8M (approx. 741M MDL) in annual exports to Ukraine.
Minister of Agriculture Ludmila Catlabuga confirmed that no official notification regarding the licensing has been received yet. She described the move as a draft proposal still under discussion within the Ukrainian government, rather than an active policy.
Technical teams from both nations' food safety agencies are scheduled to meet today, March 4, at 15:00. The objective is to establish a gradual, data-driven mechanism for resuming poultry imports while ensuring strict adherence to health standards.
Private sector stakeholders have already initiated direct contact. Moldovan importers and Ukrainian slaughterhouses are currently seeking technical solutions to bypass the deadlock without violating safety certifications.
In 2025, Ukrainian poultry exports to Moldova reached roughly €31.2M (approx. 611M MDL). Moldovan authorities maintain that while market diversification remains a priority, a constructive bilateral dialogue is the preferred path to regional economic stability.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
