Moldova: EU moves to eliminate customs duties on certain agricultural products 

The EU is taking steps towards the elimination of customs duties for seven agricultural products from Moldova – plums, table grapes, apples, tomatoes, garlic, cherries and grape juice.

The Council of the European Union on 18 September adopted a decision on the position the EU would take in the EU – Moldova Association Committee in Trade Configuration regarding increasing market access for some exports not yet liberalised.

The seven agricultural products are not yet fully liberalised for export from Moldova to the EU and would normally be subject to duty free quotas. So far, however, they have been covered by the EU’s unilateral trade liberalisation measures for Moldova, introduced in July 2022 following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and further renewed until 24 July 2025.

The EU’s objective now is to move from this temporary regime to a long-term framework that provides stability for economic actors on both sides and boosts trade flows, while protecting sensitive EU farm sectors.

The future agreement will include robust safeguard clauses against market distortion and make new market access conditional on Moldova’s gradual alignment with specific EU agri-food standards by 2027.

After adoption by the Council, the EU-Moldova Association Committee in Trade Configuration is to adopt the decision on the reduction and elimination of customs duties under the review process of the Agreement.

The EU has strongly condemned Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and taken unprecedented measures to support Moldova, both in this exceptional context and on its path to accession.

This includes autonomous trade measures and a €1.9 billion Growth Plan to drive long-term reforms and economic growth. Moldova was granted EU candidate status in June 2022 and accession negotiations began in December 2023.

The Association Agreement between the EU and Moldova aims to promote political dialogue and increase Moldova’s association with EU policies and its participation in EU programmes and agencies. It also contains a DCFTA – Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area – to establish conditions for enhanced economic and trade relations leading towards Moldova’s gradual integration into the EU internal market. 

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