Moldova moves to restrict grain imports and tackle illicit nicotine trade

Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan announced plans to temporarily reintroduce grain import licensing through October 31, aiming to support local agricultural producers despite potential economic trade-offs.

Concurrently, political debate intensified following the appointment of Romanian lawmaker Claudiu Năsui as Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization. While the ruling coalition framed the move as importing Western expertise, domestic analysts warned that aggressive reform measures could provoke public backlash.

In public health and enforcement actions, authorities increased scrutiny over nicotine products. The Ministry of Education launched an informational campaign warning parents about oral nicotine pouches ahead of an impending legal prohibition, as investigative reporting highlighted efforts by Philip Morris to market the products before statutory deadlines. Separately, police in northern Moldova seized 1.9 million contraband cigarettes during searches involving two suspects.

Sources: Adevărul, Moldova1, Newsmaker, Point, Ziarul de Gardă