The harvest of wheat, corn and sunflower seeds this year enables to satisfy the internal consumption needs even if these crops were affected by drought, Prime Minister Ion Chicu stated in a press briefing after the weekly meeting of senior state officials, being quoted by IPN.

According to the official, about 620,000-630,000 tonnes of wheat were harvested this year, with the domestic consumption being of 350,000 tonnes. “So, about 300,000 tonnes could be exported. There is now no shortage of wheat for ensuring the country’s food security,” he stated.

As regards the corn, the harvest came to about 800,000 tonnes, while the annual consumption was assessed at 700,000 tonnes. The crop of sunflower seeds came to 400,000, with the domestic consumption being of a similar quantity.

Premier Chicu said the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture until September 18 has received applications for providing assistance to farmers to offset the losses of the first group grain crops. The losses of the second group grain crops continue to be assessed so as to see what assistance can be offered. He will have meetings with representatives of farmers this week so as to identity solutions for the agricultural sector.