The government has not yet decided whether it will extend the licensing of grain and oilseed imports. The Minister of Agriculture, Eugeniu Osmochescu, says he does not yet see economic and financial arguments for extending the licensing. He argues that any decision should be made after an analysis of the impact on all actors in the value chain, reports IPN.

According to the minister, the subject was to be discussed on Tuesday within a working group on the platform of the Economic Council under the Prime Minister. He stated in a press conference held after the executive meeting, that, once the data is laid out, the authorities will be able to discuss again with all the involved parties.

Eugeniu Osmochescu drew attention to the trade relations of the Republic of Moldova with external partners. He recalled the situation in which our country risked facing the licensing of grape, wine, and spirit exports to Ukraine, in the context of the temporary ban on chicken meat imports.

The Minister emphasized that, in the case of licensing grain and oilseed imports, the effects on various categories of economic agents must be analyzed. He mentioned in this context areas such as milling and baking, for which imported grains represent raw material.

The statements were made after the Farmers’ Force Association requested an extension until December 31, 2026 for the licensing of grain and oilseed imports and threatened with protests. The Parliament recently approved the application of the provisional mechanism until October 31.