The Government has set a rate of 2 lei per kilogram to be paid to fruit growers in compensation for the losses sustained in the wake of the Russian ban. This was announced by Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, after a meeting with farmers yesterday, and confirmed later in a special broadcast on Moldova 1 channel. The formal decision is to be adopted at today's Government meeting, IPN reports.

Leanca said the compensations will be offered to all fruit growers, regardless of the size of their orchards. A sum of 170-180 million lei will be allocated for this purpose.

The prime minister announced that three major fruit processing factories, in Soroca, Orhei and Cupcini, are willing to take the fruits from the growers and have the money to pay for them, too.

He also announced that a Solidarity Plan has been developed, envisaging holding fairs throughout Moldova where people will be able to buy fresh fruits directly from the grower. Moreover, the Government has finalized the procurement procedure for the healthy diet project “An Apple a Day”.

Other compensatory measures include the restructuring of the loans taken out by the farmers, programs to invest into storage facilities for fruits and vegetables, and a three months' tax extension for farmers.

Iurie Leanca added that the recent restrictions imposed by Russia on Moldovan sugar imports will not have a significant effect, since 94% of our sugar exports go to the European Union and only 6% to the CIS countries.