Moldova’s farmer association ‘Syla Fermeriv’ (‘Farmers’ Force’) is threatening large-scale protests if the government takes no action by 21 August over its concerns about a 50% discount on railway transit fees for Ukrainian cargo through Moldovan territory, Yevropeyska Pravda reports, citing Newsmaker.
Association head Alexandru Slusari said he met with Prime Minister Vasile Tofan to explain the farmers’ position. He demanded that farmers be included in discussions on how transit is organised, citing the 2022–2023 precedent, when poorly managed transit of goods from Ukraine blocked Moldovan exports and forced local farmers to sell below cost.
“We cannot allow our exports to be threatened by logistical or customs obstacles,” Slusari said.
The association will wait until 21 August, when Tofan has promised another meeting, and will launch mass protests if no satisfactory steps are taken.
Moldova’s association of grain and oilseed exporters has separately expressed concern that the railway will become overloaded as Ukrainian transit volumes increase.
On 12 August, Ukraine and Moldova agreed to a 50% discount on railway transit tariffs for Ukrainian cargo across Moldovan territory — a route that has become increasingly critical for Kyiv as russia’s strikes on Black Sea ports have curtailed the main export gateway for Ukrainian agricultural goods.
Moldova’s president has stressed that supporting Ukrainian grain transit is necessary to help Ukraine finance its defence.
Source: Yevropeyska Pravda
