News about International trade
Representatives of the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency (RITA), the Capital City Council and the tourism industry have agreed to increase the tourist tax in Riga to two euros per person per night starting from January 1, 2027.
As of mid-May, there were no significant changes on the Black Sea freight market. Deficit of new cargo transportation requests remains, especially in coaster segment. As a result, freight rates are decreasing.
The National Energy Regulatory Agency (NERA) has set new maximum fuel prices that will be in effect tomorrow, May 20.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has received the Order of European Merit. This is a new award established on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. Its goal is to recognize an outstanding contribution to the European integration and protection of the EU values. The head of state called the award a great honor.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has admitted during talks with US President Donald Trump that Russian President Vladimir Putin may eventually regret invading Ukraine.
Grain futures on the largest commodity exchange in Chicago rose sharply at the beginning of the current week. This happened after the White House administration announced new commitments by China to purchase American agricultural products. This gave the market hope for growth in exports of not only U.S. soybeans, but also other agricultural products.
In order to receive part of the funds from the €90bn loan approved by the EU for Ukraine on April 22, Brussels requires Kiev to change its tax legislation.
In May on the fruit and berry market of Moldova, contrary to expectations, the prices for strawberries did not continue to decrease, but increased significantly – on average by 10-15%.
Customs is developing modern IT solutions for postal processing in collaboration with UNCTAD and the business community.
Germany’s largest automobile concerns are increasingly looking at the defense industry. Against the backdrop of a protracted crisis in the automotive industry, falling profits and production cuts, military orders are beginning to look like a new source of income for the industry.
The National Energy Regulatory Agency (NERA) has set new maximum fuel prices that will be in effect tomorrow, May 19.
The bad news is that energy and commodity shortages will push prices higher. The good news is that core inflation remains largely subdued, giving central banks room to maneuver. The bad news is that inflation is rising sharply in the euro area and developing countries face rising inflationary risks from possible food shocks and climate risks. The good news is that a cooler labor market and incomes are keeping core commodity prices in check.
The Ministry of Energy, in cooperation with the Operator of the Energy Market of Moldova (OPEM), organized a new technical webinar dedicated to presenting trading opportunities on OPEM-managed platforms.
Diversifying trade relations amid global instability and U.S. trade policies will be the main subject of negotiations and the signing of an ambitious free trade and strategic partnership agreement (MGA) to strengthen economic ties. The European Union will be represented at the meeting by European Council President António Costa and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.
In April 2026, the Republic of Moldova secured the status of net exporter of sunflower oil. Exports exceeded imports in physical volume by more than three times. In value terms, exports also exceed imports, but in a smaller proportion.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and storage systems, which allow households to store electricity, have fallen in price by 90% over the past decade. However, tax policy changes, rising silver prices, etc., may soon trigger a new round of price increases.
In the 2026/27 season, Ukraine will increase sunflower production, sunflower oil production and exports after a weaker 2025/26 marketing season. However, Russia is still ahead of Ukraine and will retain its status as the largest sunflower oil producer in the world. This is evidenced by the USDA forecast.
NEC Ukrenergo is considering the possibility of expanding interstate electricity connections, which in the long term may combine the energy systems of Ukraine and Romania through the territory of Moldova.
A multibillion-dollar deal to supply AI chips from Nvidia to a dozen Chinese companies has hung up. The reasons are twofold: Beijing’s stiff opposition and American President Donald Trump’s exotic terms. Although the former also follows from the latter.
A7A5, a stablecoin linked to Russia and designed to bypass bank restrictions on fund transfers, says faster transaction completion, yields and regional crypto infrastructure could keep it relevant even as geopolitical tensions subside.
