Moldova’s Agriculture Minister Eugeniu Osmochescu says there is currently no economic or financial justification for extending the licensing requirement for grain and oilseed imports, a measure requested by some farmers.
“If we are talking about licensing, personally, I have not seen any economic or financial arguments for imposing import licensing. That is why I asked my colleagues to conduct an analysis together, looking not only at the impact on one group of stakeholders, but on all actors across Moldova’s entire value chain — from imports to the baking industry, for example,” Osmochescu said.
The minister said a decision would be made only after a comprehensive analysis based on concrete figures. At the time of his statement, a working group was discussing the issue at the Economic Council under the Prime Minister.
“I cannot take a position now because we need to base our decision on financial and economic arguments,” Osmochescu said.
The minister also warned of potential consequences for Moldova’s international trade relations.
He recalled an earlier situation in which Moldova came close to facing licensing requirements for exports of grapes, wine and spirits to Ukraine after Chisinau temporarily banned imports of poultry meat from Ukraine.
“Think also about the international relations we have with our regional partners,” Osmochescu stressed.
He added that import licensing constitutes a non-tariff barrier to trade and that Moldova must take its international obligations into account, including those under the World Trade Organization.
Asked which categories of businesses would be affected, Osmochescu explained that import licenses are currently already issued free of charge to companies that use grain for purposes such as feed production or baking.
“We see the figures, we see the economic and financial arguments, and then we can discuss the issue in practical terms,” the minister concluded.
The current grain and oilseed import licensing regime has been proposed until October 31, 2026.