News about International trade

Government support and procurement for sectors such as chips, automobiles, chemicals and quantum technologies will be limited to products made in the European Union, Logos Press reported.

Moldova ended the year with a positive export balance for the first time in several years. Shipments abroad in 2025 amounted to $3.8 billion, which is 6.4% more than in the previous period. And this is probably the only good news in the country’s foreign trade balance.

Turkey is the country with the largest number of defense companies among NATO countries. The country has more than 3,500 defense companies, compared to about 2,800 in the 29 allied countries of Europe, Logos Press reported.

Excess supply and falling sugar prices have become an acute challenge for the global sugar industry. Ukrainian sugar growers promise to henceforth comply with European sugar market rules, Logos Press reported.

Romania is a fairly large regional exporter of bananas, although the fruit does not grow in that country, according to Logos Press.

The ‘chicken crisis’ is exacerbating relations between Moldova and Ukraine on the ‘economic track.’ The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers has threatened its Moldovan counterparts with mirror measures in connection with the suspension of poultry meat supplies from Ukraine to Moldova. Pressure on Moldova on the ‘European track’ is also possible, according to Logos Press.

Tallinn, together with Kiev, is preparing steps regarding the seizure of Russian assets in Estonia, Logos Press reported citing RBC.

The U.S. dollar accounts for about 60 percent of the world’s merchandise exports, compared to about 25 percent for the euro, Europe’s single currency, much to the dismay of Brussels and member countries’ finance ministers.

The Polish Foreign Ministry has warned that consular assistance to Polish citizens may be limited due to the reduction of diplomatic staff in Russia. Poles in Russia were advised to leave the country, Logos Press reported.

India’s gold imports have shown a sharp jump in early 2026. According to the country’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the volume of purchases of the precious metal abroad reached $12.07 billion in January, Logos Press reported.

Moldova will raise the level of participation in the Regional Center for Security Cooperation (RACVIAC) from observer to associate member, Logos Press reports.

The Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine at the request of the Ukrainian Association of Milk Producers has officially applied to the authorities of the European Union with a proposal to provide anti-crisis financial support to the country’s dairy farms in 2026, according to Logos Press.

Representatives of both southern European countries at a recent meeting of EU ambassadors expressed concerns that a move to such restrictions could affect the European shipping industry and energy prices. They also asked for clarification on proposals to impose sanctions on foreign ports for transshipment of Russian oil and to tighten controls on ship sellers, Logos Press reported.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is moving towards the implementation of the European System of National Accounts (ESA 2010), which involves improving international trade and GDP statistics.

In early 2026, cocoa futures fell below $4 thousand per ton for the first time since November 2023, breaking a two-year growth. Recall that the market reached its peak values at the end of 2024 – at that time quotes exceeded $12 thousand per ton. Despite a drop of about 70%, the cost of raw materials still remains high and continues to restrain demand, according to Logos Press.

The negotiations between the Moldovan National Food Safety Agency ANSA and the Ukrainian authorities on unblocking the supply of poultry meat to Moldova are proceeding very carefully. The impression is that the parties really want to find a compromise, Logos Press reports.

Ukraine is seeking an early solution to the issue of resuming poultry exports to Moldova after it temporarily suspended imports, the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture said, Logos Press reported.

Europe’s largest food retailer, French chain Carrefour has announced the sale of its Romanian division. The buyer is Paval Holding from Romania, owned by the Paval brothers. Thus, Romanian Carrefourt will be completely under local management, reports Logos Press.

The profit of the leader of the world automobile industry Mercedes-Benz in 2025 fell almost twice compared to the previous year – from 10.4 billion euros to 5.3 billion euros. The decline in sales in China was especially noticeable, Logos Press reports.

Moldova is gradually moving away from funding from the International Monetary Fund, and full independence will symbolize its macroeconomic maturity, Logos Press reported.