The Romanian government has decided to extend the mandatory licensing system for agricultural imports from Ukraine until December 31, 2025. This is reported by Euractiv, citing official statements by the Romanian authorities. This decision is motivated by the desire to protect local farmers and ensure the stability of the national food system.

The Minister of Agriculture of Romania, Florin Barbu, has called on the country's processing industry to reorient purchases to the domestic market. According to him, supporting local agricultural producers is a priority, and it is national farmers who should gain an advantage in conditions of increased competition.

According to the updated regulations of the Ministry of Agriculture, licensing applies to all stages of the supply of agri-food products - from production to retail. Such a mechanism, according to officials, allows not only to ensure transparency of imports, but also to protect vulnerable social groups in accordance with European social standards.

The licensing system was introduced after the European Commission lifted the pan-European ban on the import of Ukrainian grain to neighboring countries in September 2023. In response, Romania, together with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria, introduced its own restrictions. Bucharest chose the path of regulation through a permit system, rather than through an outright ban.

Initially, the restrictions applied only to grains and oilseeds imported from Ukraine and Moldova. Later, the list of goods for which licenses were required was expanded. This allowed the Romanian government to respond more flexibly to fluctuations in the agricultural market and influence import volumes, maintaining a balance between the interests of the domestic market and obligations to the EU.

The Romanian government emphasizes that the extension of licensing is not a form of protectionism, but rather a temporary tool to adapt to extraordinary economic conditions. At the same time, this decision may have an impact on Ukrainian exporters, who will continue to have to take into account new regulatory requirements when entering the Romanian market.