Bulgaria denies consent to liberalized licensing of imports of Ukrainian sunflower seeds

MOSCOW. Feb 6 (Interfax) - Bulgarian Agriculture and Food Minister Kirill Vatev has strongly opposed the Ukrainian government's decision to liberalize the exports of sunflower seeds to Bulgaria and sent a respective letter to Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister, Economy Minister Yulia Sviridenko and a copy of the letter to Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Nikolai Solsky.

Vatev said that Ukraine had no talks with Sofia on any liberalization or facilitation of sunflower seed imports, Ukrainian media said, citing the website of the Bulgarian Agriculture and Food Ministry.

A resolution adopted by the Bulgarian government on January 26, 2024, excluded Ukrainian companies exporting products to Bulgaria without a license from the list of trusted exporters, Vatev said. Companies that commit such violations will be unable to export products to either Bulgaria or third countries for six months.

Vatev added, citing the Bulgarian Customs Agency, that 37,934 tonnes of Ukrainian sunflower oil were exported to Bulgaria without permits and license applications between December 4, 2023, when the licensing system was put into place, and January 21, 2024.

"Therefore, I insist on licensing Ukrainian companies to export the following goods to Bulgaria, CN codes 1001 99 00 (wheat), 1005 90 00 (corn), 1206 00 91 (sunflower seeds), 1206 00 99 (sunflower seeds), 1205 10 90 (rapeseeds), 1205 90 00 (rapeseeds processed), and take measures envisaged by Ukrainian government resolution of January 26, 2024, if necessary," Vatev said.

As reported, the Ukrainian Economy Ministry website announced on February 2 Bulgaria's agreement to liberalize the licensing of sunflower seed imports from Ukraine.