The drought that hit Moldova in July, which saw the highest temperatures since record-keeping began, affected farmers' prospects for corn and sunflower yields, with losses amounting to several hundred kilograms per hectare.

According to the State Weather Service, the high temperatures recorded in this period affect the flowering and the development of the fruit in corn. The Service predicts the average national corn harvest yields will be 2-2.3 t/ha, and lower in parts of the country.

Before the drought, predictions for this year were 2.5-2.8 t/ha on average. In the last 10 years corn yields averaged 3 tonnes per hectare.

For sunflower, the State Weather Service expects average national yields tp be 1.1-1.3 t/ha, as compared to previous prognosis for this year of 1.4-1.6 t/ha, meaning a drop of 300 kilograms per hectare. In the last two years sunflower yields averaged 1.8-2 t/ha.

Sugar beet yields are also expected to drop to 2.2-2.5 t/ha, from 3.1 t/ha in the last 10 years.

Temperatures are predicted to rise again in the next few days, with highs around 30 degrees Celsius. Thundershowers are expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 26 and 27.