Romanian farmers have signaled a major escalation, threatening a nationwide strike beginning on June 7 if authorities do not ban the transit and import of grain from Ukraine during the period from June 15, 2023, to March 15, 2024. This move reflects deep concern over the economic squeeze faced by farm families and rural communities who rely on stable markets and predictable support to sustain production levels across the country. The decision to mobilize stems from a sense that existing policy tools are failing to cushion farmers from volatile global price swings and competitive pressures that have intensified in recent months.
The Association of Agricultural Producers has voiced discontent with the compensation framework, arguing that the European Commission’s offered support falls far short of the losses incurred. While the EC requested approximately 200 million euros to offset farmer losses, the compensation package allocated is significantly smaller, at about 10 million euros. This stark gap between need and aid has amplified calls for a more comprehensive safety net that can stabilize incomes, preserve agricultural heritage, and maintain rural livelihoods during periods of market disruption and trade frictions.
Prices for key staples have shown dramatic shifts. For instance, the price of wheat fell from around 370 euros per tonne in late autumn to roughly 240 euros later in the year, magnifying the financial pressure on producers with held stocks. The situation is complicated by concerns about product quality and regulatory compliance. Some critics contend that Ukrainian suppliers may move goods containing substances not permitted in Romania, raising questions about the integrity of products in the market. There are also debates about the presence of genetically modified organisms in certain shipments, which remains a contentious issue within the EU regulatory framework and public sentiment.
Historical trade patterns indicate that Romania began importing Ukrainian wheat in substantial volumes after a period of limited or no imports in previous years. Between 2018 and 2020, official data show minimal cross-border purchases, yet in the most recent year, Romania imported a notable amount of wheat from Kyiv. This shift underscores the broader realignment of regional supply chains in response to evolving trade policies, price signals, and agricultural resilience strategies. The broader regional context includes neighboring countries such as Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria, which have also observed a surge in grain imports from Ukraine as Brussels temporarily adjusted tariff measures to manage the market turbulence and ensure food availability across the European bloc.