Moldova Denies Processing Ukrainian Grain at Giurgiulești Port

The government rejects allegations that the port is being used to process raw materials from Ukraine

MPs from the ‘Democracy at Home’ parliamentary group visited the area around the border crossing point near the Giurgiulești International Free Port, where they filmed several railway wagons. According to them, the wagons are carrying grain from Ukraine, intended for processing in the Republic of Moldova. The government has stated that the Ukrainian grain is merely transiting through the country’s territory and does not reach the domestic market.

Photo: gifp.md

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The MPs also claimed that sunflower seeds from Ukraine are being processed in the Republic of Moldova, whilst local farmers’ harvests remain in the fields and in warehouses. They suggested that the processing takes place in the Free Economic Zone, where businesses benefit from tax incentives, being exempt from VAT, duties and taxes.

The Government’s response

In a public statement, the Government of the Republic of Moldova condemned the MPs’ actions, accusing them of spreading false information about Ukrainian grain and of compromising port and border infrastructure.

Government spokesperson Dumitru Ciorici stated that Ukrainian grain does not enter the domestic market, but transits through the Republic of Moldova to the ports of Galați and Constanța.

“Ukrainian grain does not enter the Moldovan market, but merely transits through our country. Moldovan farmers do not compete with this grain on the domestic market. The Moldovan port gives priority to processing cargo from Moldovan exporters,” said Ciorici.

According to the government, the wagons filmed by Costiuc were in transit at the CFM Giurgiulești station and were not stationary at the port for the unloading of grain.

The authorities maintain that transit represents an important source of revenue for the Moldovan Railways. In September, the company reportedly transported approximately 80,000 tonnes of transit grain, and in October around 65,000 tonnes.

The government has also rejected allegations regarding the processing of sunflower seeds from Ukraine, stating that imports of such seeds for oil production are non-existent. The 5,500 tonnes of sunflower seeds shown in the video footage are, according to the authorities, of Moldovan origin and were due to be exported on the MV ELA-T.

Finally, the Government called on the MPs concerned and other public figures to refrain from spreading false information and misinformation which, according to the institution, can cause tension and anxiety within society.

This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.The translation was also reviewed by the Logos Press editorial team.

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