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

Stricter price controls to be introduced from 8 August

Parliament has approved the introduction of enhanced price controls for a period of one year, starting on 8 August 2025. The measure was adopted at the second reading of the Law on the Adoption of the Euro in Bulgaria, BNR reporter Daniel Inkov..

published on 7/30/25 4:04 PM

Cabinet allocates €460,000 in aid for fire-affected families

The Council of Ministers has decided to grant a total of €460,176 in aid to families affected by the forest fires. 'Until now, they could apply for €978. 'We are now providing an additional €1,533 per family, bringing the total to approximately..

published on 7/30/25 2:43 PM
Rosen Zhelyazkov

Government to brief MPs on readiness to procure firefighting equipment

The government will submit a report to the National Assembly tomorrow detailing the readiness of each relevant ministry to procure specialised firefighting equipment, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced. He recalled that the previous..

published on 7/30/25 2:28 PM