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

World public service media meet in Sofia, discuss current challenges

There is no democracy and freedom without freedom of speech and pluralism, said President Rumen Radev at the opening, in Sofia, of the annual Public Broadcasters International Conference (PBI 2025) . For the first time, the Bulgarian National Radio..

published on 10/21/25 2:05 PM

BNR hosts the 2025 edition of the annual Public Broadcasters International conference

For the first time, the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) is hosting the annual Public Broadcasters International conference . The conference brings together public media bosses and executives from 24 countries across five continents. The theme..

published on 10/21/25 10:42 AM

Bulgaria wants to invite mayors from Taraclia to gain insight into how the European Union functions

Bulgaria supports the start of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, said Bulgaria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev during the EU Foreign Affairs Council held in Luxembourg. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos..

published on 10/21/25 9:54 AM