News about International trade

Russian sellers operating on the Wildberries marketplace are reporting significant losses following Ukrainian drone strikes on the company’s logistics centers on the night of July 20. The changes to the terms of service, which took effect shortly before the attacks, have caused the greatest discontent among sellers. Under the new terms, the marketplace is exempt from liability for goods destroyed or damaged as a result of hostilities, including drone attacks.

A delegation from Moldova took part in the 68th series of meetings of the Assembly of Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), held in Geneva. Participants at the forum adopted decisions on the development of the international intellectual property protection system and approved the organization’s new leadership.

Global grain production in the 2026/27 season could decline to 2.42 billion metric tons, which is 69 million metric tons, or 2.7%, lower than the record high of the previous season. However, this figure will still be the second-highest on record, according to the International Grains Council (IGC).

The first official visit to our country by Drupadi Murmu, President of the Republic of India, has begun. Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi welcomed the large Indian delegation at the gangway. The Indian delegation includes about 30 businesspeople who will participate in a business forum organized for this occasion. Moldovan authorities are hoping for Indian investment in agriculture, education, healthcare, information technology, and energy.

In July, the price of barley in Moldova ranged from 2.9 to 3 lei per kilogram. This is despite the fact that market operators note an unusually early start to the 2026/27 marketing season and a relatively low starting price for the first export shipment of Moldovan barley at the end of June—3.19 lei/kg (last year’s starting price was 3.40 lei/kg).

The World Cup, which was hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico over the course of a month, drew mixed reviews in the international press. While the American media calls the tournament a historic success that has changed the country’s attitude toward soccer, Mexican publications note that the festivities in the stadiums ultimately failed to translate into an economic breakthrough. RBC has compiled a selection of the most notable media reactions.

Ukraine’s “NIBULON” has signed a long-term contract with the Romanian company TTS (Transport Trade Services) SA, one of Europe’s largest river logistics operators, to provide international transportation services on the Danube. This was reported by the company’s press office.

After analyzing the commodity structure of Moldova’s exports and imports for January through March of this year, economist Vladimir Golovatiuc reached conclusions that were “disappointing, to say the least.”

Last month, Moldova exported 151,500 metric tons of grain crops worth 620.3 million lei. Compared to the previous month, Moldovan grain exports fell by 13.9% in volume and 11.4% in value, which is typical for the final month of the marketing season.

Russia is imposing a ban on imports of stone fruits from five Turkish companies. The restrictions apply to apricots, cherries, sweet cherries, peaches, and nectarines. The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) explained the decision by citing the regular detection of quarantine pests in these products.

Despite expectations of high global grain harvests, the global market is entering the 2026/27 season with a gradually shrinking buffer. The key question is not only about production volumes, but also whether production can keep pace with growing global demand.

China’s rapid rise, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the war between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other have made geopolitical rivalry the primary force shaping the global economy.

White House Chief Donald Trump accused Canada of failing to clean up litter in its forests, which, in his view, is causing air pollution in the United States, and therefore threatened Canada with higher customs duties.

The Customs Service reports that, based on the results of inspections conducted between July 6 and 17, 2026, additional customs duties totaling 989,940 lei were identified, which are subject to collection for the state budget.

Energocom has submitted an official request to ANRE to raise regulated natural gas prices—and, for the first time, has publicly explained the figures underlying this request.

More than four years after the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, a number of international companies that announced their intention to leave the Russian market continue to operate in Russia.

June 2026 reshaped the results of the entire 2025/26 season for exports of sunflower oil produced in Moldova. Last month (the final month of the season), nearly 18,000 metric tons were exported from the country, accounting for approximately 20% of the total volume of this commodity shipped to foreign markets during the marketing year.

The state-owned company Energocom has submitted a request to the National Energy Regulatory Agency (NARE) with a proposal to increase the regulated natural gas tariff for residential consumers by 45.2%—from 13.35 to 19.38 lei per cubic meter, excluding VAT. Including VAT, the price could rise from 14.42 to 20.93 lei per cubic meter if the regulator approves the request.

The Customs Service and the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS) have uncovered a scheme involving the illegal import of vehicles from the United States worth a total of more than 17 million lei.

The President of the Republic of India, Draupadi Murmu, who is arriving in Moldova on Monday, July 20, at the invitation of President Maia Sandu, will be accompanied by several dozen businesspeople. The Office of the President has announced the official visit of the high-level Indian delegation. This is the first-ever visit by an Indian head of state to our country since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Moldova and the Republic of India on March 20, 1992.