Moldova’s Cement Plants Feel the Pressure from Cheap Ukrainian Imports

Cheap Ukrainian cement is taking over the Moldovan market, posing a threat to local plants, while Ukraine itself maintains a 94 percent anti-dumping duty on Moldovan products. The Bani portal reported this, citing data from the Customs Service and the construction industry. According to the Customs Service, in 2025 Moldova imported approximately 339,000 metric tons of cement from Ukraine, worth 394.2 million lei, which is about 2.5 times higher than the figures for 2024. In the first half of 2026, 122,581 metric tons of cement worth 157 million lei were imported into the country. Customs documents for 2026 list four importing companies: “M-Crisco,” “Pro Business Group,” “Servprodland,” and “Ikssat,” according to rupor.md. Local producers claim that Ukrainian cement is being sold at prices indicative of dumping. According to information from the Ribnitsa Cement Plant, in the second half of 2025, the average price of Ukrainian cement was shipped to Moldova at $69 per metric ton, compared with $98 per metric ton for shipments to Romania. In the first half of 2026, this trend continued: approximately $72 per metric ton in Moldova versus $99 in Romania, which is 27–30% lower than prices on the Romanian market. Sales data from two major Ukrainian producers for 2025 also show that the price for shipments to Moldova was $69 per metric ton, compared to $102 in Romania and $104 on Ukraine’s domestic market. BANI.MD notes that a government investigation is required for official confirmation of dumping. At the same time, according to estimates by the Ribnitsa Cement Plant, more than $30 million was spent on Ukrainian cement in 2025 and the first half of 2026 – funds that could otherwise have supported the local economy and employment. There are two major manufacturers operating in the Moldovan market: Holcim Moldova and the Ribnitsa Cement Plant. Representatives of the Ribnitsa plant state that Ukrainian cement accounted for more than a third of the market, while domestic sales fell by 13% in 2025 and by 26% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2024. The company warns of the risks of reduced production and investment. In the fall of 2025, the plant appealed to the government to introduce reciprocal measures, such as quotas or tariffs. Holcim Moldova confirmed to Bani.md that it had discussed the need for proportionate trade defense measures with the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization; however, it refrained from publishing its own financial data, citing commercial confidentiality. Manufacturers cite barriers in the Ukrainian market as the main factor behind the unequal conditions: since 2019, Ukraine has imposed an anti-dumping duty of 94.46% on Moldovan cement and clinker, which was extended in May 2025 through 2030. This makes shipments from Moldova commercially unfeasible. Representatives of Holcim clarified that they had held negotiations with the authorities of both countries with the support of an intergovernmental commission, but the restriction remains in effect. Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization Eugen Osmochescu told Bani.md that the government is in talks with Kyiv on lifting the restrictions on Moldovan cement exports.