Moldova farmers lobby for permanent grain import limits
Moldovan farmers are pressing the government for a permanent import quota regime on cereals and oilseeds, mirroring systems in Romania and Bulgaria.
Their plea arrives as the current state of emergency, with its temporary import controls, is set to expire on January 1, 2024.
"Lifting the emergency would automatically cancel all related decisions, including the October 2023 import licensing system," explained the Farmers' Association. This system restricts import licences to specific agricultural businesses.
Farmers credit the licensing system, albeit implemented belatedly, with stabilising domestic prices after months of plummeting grain values. They observed slow but steady price increases for wheat, corn, and sunflower seeds over the past two months.
Beyond protecting domestic prices, farmers warn that unfettered imports jeopardise Moldova's grain exports to neighbouring Romania. Romania has raised concerns about potential re-exports of Ukrainian cereals and oilseeds through Moldova, which could harm their own market. A block on Moldovan exports to Romania would be "catastrophic" for local farmers, the Association emphasises.
Government spokesperson Daniel Vodă remained unavailable for comment on the farmers' request.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
