Moldovan farmers prepare protests over Ukrainian grain import restrictions
Moldovan farmers are preparing protests on October 29 and 30 if parliament does not extend licensing for Ukrainian grain and oil crop imports. They also demand lower diesel excise duties and direct financial support for local agriculture.
Key points
- Protests are planned in several Moldovan districts on October 29 and 30.
- Three farming associations warned on October 22 that they would act if the government failed to support the sector by October 30.
- Farmers demand extended import licensing, the return of diesel excise duties and direct payments.
- Moldova's government backed temporary import licensing on August 26 through October 31, 2026.
- The licensing mechanism does not allow automatic or other extension of its term.
- The Farmers' Strength Association said on October 27 that protest sites and times had been set in some districts.
- Russian attacks on vessels in the Black Sea have complicated Ukrainian exports.
Why it matters
The planned protests could disrupt Moldova's agricultural sector and influence the government's trade decisions. The dispute also highlights how restrictions on Ukraine's maritime exports are affecting farmers in a neighboring country and increasing competition for Moldovan producers.
What happened
Farmers from several Moldovan districts are preparing protest actions with agricultural machinery on October 29 and 30. They want the existing licensing regime for imports of Ukrainian grain and oil crops to continue, alongside the restoration of diesel excise duties and direct payments for farmers. The government supported the temporary licensing mechanism on August 26 to protect local producers through October 31, 2026, but the law does not provide for extending it. On October 22, three farming associations warned that they would protest if the authorities did not support the sector by October 30.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian farmers say blocked maritime export routes are forcing them to sell below production costs and are increasing competition for Moldovan farmers. Moldovan import restrictions are presented as a temporary protection measure for local producers amid disruptions to Ukrainian exports.
Background
Russian attacks on vessels in the Black Sea have complicated Ukrainian exports, and Ukraine is considering shipping agricultural products through Baltic ports. Moldova previously proposed a reduced rail-transit rate for Ukrainian grain. The Farmers' Strength Association also warned of possible large-scale protests if Ukrainian grain transit overloads the rail network.