Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Parliament votes to lift ban on grain imports from Ukraine

Photo: Reuters

Bulgarian Parliament has voted to lift the ban on grain imports from Ukraine after 15 September. The decision was taken with 124 votes in favour by the MPs from the majority and the MRF party. 

There were 69 votes against and 8 abstentions. The BSP, Vazrazhdane and There is Such a People parties voted against, accusing the importers of hiding behind the parliament's decisions.

Iskren Mitev from We Continue the Change said the ban on imports wasn't working anyway. "Ukrainian grain is all over Europe, what we need to do is provide a transit corridor," the MP said. 

Agriculture Minister Kiril Vatev explained that the macroeconomic indicators show that Bulgaria has no concerns about the lifting of the ban on Ukrainian grain, as the government is able to support Bulgarian farmers and will strengthen the control over herbicides, pesticides and heavy metals in imports from Ukraine. Grain growers have announced that they will organise protests against the decision.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky extended his gratitude to Bulgaria for waving the restrictions on Ukrainian grain exports after September 15 this year. "Bulgaria sets an example of true solidarity," he tweeted, mentioning Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov and his team, as well as Bulgarian lawmakers.


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

PM Rosen Zhelyazkov has invited King Charles III to visit Bulgaria again

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov has invited King Charles III to visit Bulgaria again , the Council of Ministers announced. The two spoke at the royal reception organized on the occasion of the Berlin Process summit in London , which..

published on 10/22/25 3:34 PM
Kostadin Kostadinov

Vazrazhdane party to propose law banning politicians sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act from holding high office

Legislative amendments banning individuals sanctioned under the global Magnitsky law from holding senior government or party positions will likely be submitted to Parliament as early as Thursday by the Vazrazhdane party, MP Petar Petrov told BNR...

published on 10/22/25 2:07 PM

The EP Liberals are set to investigate the arrest of the mayor of Varna

The Renew Europe political group in the European Parliament has established a working group to examine instances in which the Bulgarian government may have acted against the rule of law. The move comes in response to what the group describes as..

published on 10/22/25 1:37 PM