Moldovan farmers are outraged over a discount on the transit of Ukrainian cargo
Moldovan farmers have criticized the government’s decision to grant a 50% discount on rail transit for Ukrainian cargo. The farmers stated that the authorities did not consult with them before making the decision and are demanding an explanation of the potential consequences for the local market.
Farmers fear that an increase in the flow of Ukrainian grain and oilseeds could put further pressure on prices for Moldovan products. They also suspect that some of the cargo formally transiting through the country may remain in Moldova.
The “Farmers’ Power” association is demanding that the Moldovan government explain its decision to grant a 50 percent discount on rail transport tariffs for Ukrainian cargo passing through the country, and believes this issue should have been resolved through consultations with farmers.
In their statement, they assert that Moldovan farmers are interested in seeing Ukrainian grain and oilseeds exported as quickly as possible, as their arrival on the market increases downward pressure on prices in the region, but they fear that under the current free import regime for grain from Ukraine, “transit could turn into imports.”
The association is demanding “transparent explanations regarding the transit of products from Ukraine and the impact of the decision on Moldova’s agriculture” as well as an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Vasile Tofan.
This was reported by Newsmaker.
As a reminder, Moldova halved the transit tariff on Ukrainian cargo following a request from Kyiv.
Ukraine is considering the possibility of transporting grain by rail through Moldova to the Romanian port of Constanța as a safer alternative to sea exports. Kyiv has already appealed to Chișinău to establish a reduced tariff for such shipments.
As a reminder, grain exports from Ukraine could fall by more than half.
