Moldovan farmers threaten protests over agricultural crisis

Agricultural associations in Moldova have issued an ultimatum to authorities, warning of protests involving tractors and heavy machinery if support measures are not implemented by October 30. Producers of cereals, oilseeds, and sugar beets report a deepening financial crisis driven by rising production costs and logistical hurdles.

Key economic pressures include a nearly 100% increase in diesel prices and a 50–70% rise in the costs of fertilizers, electricity, and spare parts. Farmers also face significant export difficulties, including long queues at the Giurgiulești-Galați border crossing and low water levels in the Danube, which increase transport expenses.

To protect the domestic market, producers are calling for the extension of import licensing for cereals and oilseeds—specifically wheat, corn, and sunflower—until at least May 31, 2027. They argue that ending these restrictions could expose local producers to cheaper Ukrainian imports, potentially leading to widespread insolvency and business closures.