Sugar beet producers said the harvest is by about 10 tonnes per hectare lower than expected. Nicolae Moraru, leader of the Association of Sugar Beet Producers, has told IPN that the crop was affected by the August drought.

The harvest of sugar beet in central Moldova is practically over, while in the northern districts goes on. According to Nicolae Moraru, the yield in the central districts was 25 tonnes of sugar beet per hectare.

“Some of the producers have not yet started to gather the sugar beet as they hope for substantial rain so as to have a higher crop. The rain that fell over the last few weeks was insignificant,” said Nicolae Moraru.

He also said that only one company is now processing sugar. The others will start work after September 15 as they want to collect the necessary raw material first. The harvest of sugar beet will continue until November.