Espreso. Global

Bulgaria plans to lift ban on grain imports from Ukraine

13 September, 2023 Wednesday
12:08

The Bulgarian Parliamentary Committee on Economic Policy and Innovation has adopted a draft decision stating that the country does not support the extension of the ban on imports of certain agricultural products from Ukraine after September 15

client/title.list_title

Forbes Bulgaria reported the information. 

The outlet noted that the final decision will be made at the plenary session.

The draft decision was supported by 10 committee members. Four spoke against it, and two abstained.

Thus, the draft position of Bulgaria states that the country does not support the extension of the emergency measure to ban imports of wheat, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds from Ukraine to Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia after September 15, 2023. The Council of Ministers was instructed to take the necessary measures to express its position.

"Following farmers' protests in these countries, the European Commission has imposed restrictions on wheat, rapeseed, sunflower and corn transit through these countries until September 15, but not on their domestic markets. The draft decision provoked a lively discussion in the Commission, with industry organizations that were present at the Commission meeting opposing it," Forbes reports.

Iliya Prodanov, head of the National Association of Grain Producers, said that the decision does not contain an analysis of the consequences it will lead to. And the text, he said, "jeopardizes Bulgarian producers."

Prodanov added that the decision threatens the agricultural sector in the country. He also noted that the current tension in the sector "will one day spill over on an extremely large scale." The head of the National Association of Grain Producers said that the association would protect the interests of producers "by all possible means."

Bulgaria's ban on imports of Ukrainian grain: background

On April 19, 2023, Bulgaria imposed a temporary ban on imports of grain and food products from Ukraine, but made an exception for transit goods.

The acting Prime Minister of Bulgaria Galab Donev said that this decision was dictated by the desire to protect the national producer. According to him, the main reason is that over the past year, contrary to the idea of the so-called solidarity corridors, significant amounts of food have remained in the country and disrupted the main production and trade chains.

At the same time, Donev noted that Bulgaria expects the EU to hear and understand the positions of Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia on the import of Ukrainian food. 

In May, the Bulgarian government promised to lift the ban on imports of agricultural products from Ukraine after the EU's measures to stabilize the agricultural market take effect.

These measures include a second financial support package of EUR 100 million for farmers from the most affected countries and a number of safeguard mechanisms related to imports of four products (wheat, rapeseed, sunflower and corn).

In addition, the European Commission will regularly monitor other products and, in the event of market fluctuations, introduce safeguard mechanisms.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Monday
17 February
21:05
Exclusive
It will take 2 years to restore Zaporizhzhia NPP after it is returned to Ukrainian control
20:43
Germany sends more military aid to Ukraine, including Gepard SAMs, Leopard tank ammunition
20:20
Exclusive
Some Kremlin proposals in exchange for Ukraine's capitulation may interest Trump – Professor Eisenberg
20:02
Exclusive
Can European countries buy U.S. weapons for Ukraine? Defense Express explains
19:43
First NATO-Ukraine center opens in Polish city of Bydgoszcz
19:27
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
Russia launches major armored assaults near Velyka Novosilka, southern Donetsk region
19:10
Ukraine seeks to sign U.S. agreement on rare earth resources with security guarantees
18:54
Ukraine and UAE sign economic partnership agreement, including free trade zone
18:38
Russia attacks rescuers delivering water in Donetsk region
18:22
Poland will not send its soldiers to Ukraine, but will support other states – Tusk
18:05
Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner reacts to viral video of Ukrainian POWs execution
17:49
Zelenskyy: Ukraine progressing in potentially hosting European forces
17:31
"I want to take him to frontlines": Zelenskyy announces visit of Trump's special representative Kellogg
17:14
Stop Orban or reform European Union
16:52
Ukraine unaware of U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, will not recognize them
16:36
Moldova says two Russian drones violated its airspace
16:18
Russia to produce 75,000 guided bombs in 2025, posing challenges for Ukraine's defenders
15:53
France’s Foreign Minister Barrot: Russia’s return to G7 is unimaginable now
15:32
Zelenskyy, UAE President discuss prisoner exchange, economic cooperation
15:13
Russia's record use of FPV drones: February 2025 projections
14:50
Exclusive
Arch over Chornobyl NPP pushed onto shelter, no roof material decay – expert
14:32
Fire destroys two Russian Zhitel EW systems set for deployment in Ukraine war
14:15
OPINION
Munich (in)security conference: New challenges and shifts in global politics
13:56
What are Ukrainian F-16s using to bomb Russian targets?
13:45
Updated
Firefighting at Chornobyl NPP after Russian drone strike resumes
13:39
U.S. suggests including Brazilian, Chinese troops in post-war Ukraine peacekeeping force
13:18
Exclusive
Russia's economic growth claims are inflation manipulation, says analyst
12:57
Exclusive
Russian forces escalate attacks across entire frontline amid Munich Security Conference — military expert
12:43
Sweden considers sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine
11:58
Canada to send more F-16 flight simulators to Ukraine
11:44
Exclusive
Russian forces intensify infantry push in Ukraine’s Chasiv Yar - Ukraine’s 24th Brigade
11:15
OPINION
European leaders stunned: Macron calls emergency summit in Paris
10:56
Russia claims drone attack on Ilsky Oil Refinery
10:39
UK ready to send peacekeepers to Ukraine — UK PM
10:18
Trump says he may meet Putin "very soon" to discuss Ukraine-Russia ceasefire
09:57
Russia launches drone attacks on Ukraine, injuring civilians in Kharkiv, Kyiv regions
09:35
Russia loses 1,530 soldiers and dozens of military vehicles in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Sunday
16 February
21:14
OPINION
Why Lend-Lease is a quintessential Trump issue
20:51
White House sends questionnaire to Europe on Ukraine’s security in case of ceasefire
20:33
How Ukrainian soldiers use Soviet Grad MLRS to defend Chasiv Yar
More news