Affected by the effects of the pandemic, low spring temperatures and summer drought, lavender fields keep breeders afloat. Most lavender growers have completed the harvest. There are a few fields left in the northern part of Moldova, as the rains delayed the process. Farmers with young plantations have collected up to 30% fewer flowers than last year. Those with plants over 10 years old have got almost half of the previous year’s harvest, IPN reports, quoting a press release of UNDP Moldova.

“Usually, when there is a drought, fewer flowers are harvested, but the quality of lavender oil increases,” said the president of the Lavender Growers’ Association Alexandru Bădărău.

This would be a compensation for the smaller amount. The oil was extracted immediately following harvesting, and the quality tests shall be performed. Some growers have begun to dry bouquet plants to diversify their products. However, it is expected that lavender growers will not register loses, that is, they will cover their expenses, and maybe even make a profit. It is too early to make estimations, as it depends on what price will be set for lavender oil on the international market.

“We do not know at this stage if we will be able to sell lavender oil more expensively, considering the reduction of production volumes in our country. For example, Bulgaria, with which we compete, had a good year, and could deliver large quantities of oil. Therefore, the prices may remain unchanged,” said Vitalie Bordeniuc, director at Resendjer, a company that has been growing lavender for almost two decades on an area of 200 hectares.

Most of the production is exported to Germany. As its transportation was not significantly affected by the restrictions adopted in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, farmers do not worry about the market. Still, pandemic has brought some problems – because lavender oil is not a first necessity product, demand for it has decreased this year.

The Association of Lavender Producers is advised by the “AroMed Business is reborn on the banks of the Nistru River” project, which aims to support the development of the aromatic and medicinal plants industry in the Republic of Moldova. This project is implemented with the support of the European Union, through the EU “Confidence Building Measures” Program, implemented by UNDP.