Bulgaria bans sunflower seed imports from Ukraine
Bulgaria has banned the import of sunflower seeds from Ukraine until the end of November, the Ministry of Agriculture in Sofia announced. The decision was made following a video conference between the agriculture ministers of the two countries.
According to Bulgarian Agriculture Minister Kyryl Vatev, there is a memorandum signed between the Bulgarian government and the Farmers' Initiative Committee, which provides for the ban on the import of sunflower seeds from Ukraine until the end of November.
According to him, after this period, a licensing regime will operate for the export of sunflower seeds, wheat, corn, and rapeseed, in accordance with the plan agreed between Ukraine and the European Commission.
It is worth noting that Bulgarian grain producers have also demanded a ban on imports of wheat, corn, and rapeseed from Ukraine, as they fear unfair competition from Ukraine.
Bulgaria was the only country in eastern Europe to lift import restrictions at the end of last week. However, the decision angered farmers who took to the streets with their equipment in Ruse and other towns on the border with Romania.
Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia have ignored the EU decision and continue to ban imports of Ukrainian grain.
Moldovan farmers have also threatened to protest. The "Farmers' Force" Association is calling on the Government to ban the import of sunflower seed into the Republic of Moldova, at least until December 31, said Association representative Alexandr Slusari to our radio station. According to him, due to the import of seeds from Ukraine, Moldovan farmers could go bankrupt.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry points out that the price of sunflower seeds is determined by international stock exchange quotations.
Translation by Tataru Iurie
