Europeans decrease price offer for Moldovan honey

IPN.md

20 July 2022
16:10

So far the Republic of Moldova hasn’t exported any honey produced this year, but the previous years exports of newly harvested honey started in June, Vasile Dolghieru, president of the Association of Honey Exporters of the Republic of Moldova, has told IPN. Export stagnates because no agreement on prices could be reached.

“The buyers of Moldovan honey from Europe cannot decide the price. They try to increase the price for shop chains, but these chains oppose, arguing the honey is not an essential product, while the purchasing capacity of consumers declined. In general, the demand for money, including Moldovan honey, decreased owing to the situation in Ukraine. Honey is not an essential product. The people buy oil, for example, which is two-three times more expensive. The bread, gas, gasoline, diesel fuel have increased in price and these price rises affected the purchasing power of consumers,” stated Vasile Dolghieru.

If in Europe they suggest a lower price than last year, the Moldovan honey exporters will not have incomes. “They incur larger costs than last year as the gas and containers for transporting honey and also the shipment services are more expensive. We cannot buy honey from beekeepers at the same prices as last year. The price is now by 20% lower. The beekeepers expected the prices to rise by at least 30% on last year,” stated the president of the Association of Honey Exporters of the Republic of Moldova.

Last year, acacia honey was bought from Moldovan beekeepers for 5-5.50 eurocents per kilogram and was exported at the price of 5.80-6 eurocents per kilogram. This year the buyers from Europe propose a price of 5-5.50 eurocents per kilogram of honey. “The costs of exporters amount to almost 1 eurocent per kilogram and the exporters cannot offer the beekeepers a price higher than 4.50 eurocents per kilogram. But not even such contracts were signed with honey importers from Europe,” said Vasile Dolghieru.

Acacia honey production is larger than last year. Linden honey harvest is smaller owing to drought. The polyfloral honey is being harvested now, but the crop will be by 30-50% lower than last year also due to drought. Exports will therefore be lower too.

Moldova exports honey especially to EU member states. The largest quantities of honey were exported to Romania, Italy, Poland, France, Germany, Slovakia. The exports in 2017 were the largest – 5,100 tonnes. In 2021, Moldova exported 3,600 tonnes of honey, while in 2020 – 3,300 tonnes.

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The government led by Vasile Tofan was invested by Parliament

by Irina Botu 21.07.2026

The government led by Vasile Tofan was invested on Tuesday by the Parliament, with the vote of 53 PAS deputies. In the plenary, the designated Prime Minister presented his priorities for the new mandate and received encouragement from the parliamentary majority for the proposed direction. At the same time, the opposition warned of the difficulties that the announced reforms might encounter, reports IPN.

The Vice President of Parliament and PSRM deputy, Vlad Batrincea, urged Tofan to bring order to state enterprises and the appointment system, but expressed skepticism that the promised changes could be implemented. “We are not very optimistic. We do not believe that the system will allow you to achieve what you have beautifully declared today,” said the socialist deputy.

The deputy of the Alternativa faction, Ion Chicu, asked the designated prime minister how he will proceed if the “system” opposes the announced reforms.

In response, Vasile Tofan stated that he is aware that achieving results will require compromises and that he wants to avoid confrontations that could block the Government’s activity. “I want to deliver results. This means that sometimes I will have to make compromises. But I would like to avoid the moment when I have to pose the problem – either me or the decision – because that would be a failure of this government,” Vasile Tofan affirmed.

Criticism also came from the Communist Party. The leader of the faction, Diana Caraman, said that changing the prime minister does not represent a change in governance.

Alexandru Versinin, a deputy of the Home Democracy Political Party, stated that citizens are expecting concrete results after five years of PAS governance and questioned the level of trust that the current parliamentary majority still enjoys.

On the other hand, the leader of the Our Party faction, Renato Usatii, appreciated the message conveyed by the appointed prime minister and said he would give him time to prove he can fulfill his promises. “You have a six-month deadline to demonstrate all your capabilities and then the day may come when we might have to protest to keep you,” Renato Usatîi declared.

Dorian Istratii, a deputy of the Party of Action and Solidarity, rejected the opposition’s criticism and stated that it would not support the new Government for political reasons. He affirmed that the opposition parties would not be interested in reforming justice, the operation of anti-corruption institutions, strengthening energy independence, and developing a strong national army.

The Vice President of the Parliament and leader of the PAS faction, Doina Gherman, stated that the vote for the new cabinet is about the future of the country, not just the political stake of the moment.

After the vote of confidence is granted, the members of the new cabinet are to take the oath in front of the country’s president.

21.07.2026