A strategic program in horticulture is essential for Moldova given that 2018 was a difficult year and revealed a number of challenges in the second. The draft program for the development of horticulture in Moldova for 2019-2025, which is the first policy document in the field worked out during the last few years, provides that the competiveness of horticultural products during the next seven years will be increased, investments and inventions in the sector will be accelerated, a competitive labor force typical of the sector will be formed and a competitive business environment will be created.

Secretary of state at the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Vasile Luca, in the first public debates on the draft program, said the horticultural production in 2018 was about 730,000 tonnes and this strategic program in horticulture will form the basis of the horticulture subsidization programs for the next few years. The horticultural sector is very important for Moldova’s economy. It yields food products for domestic consumption and for export.

Under the draft, Moldova’s horticultural sector in 2019-2025 will see an upward development trend. The volume of horticultural production is expected to rise by 123% towards 2025 as the applied technologies will be continuously modernized. The imports of horticultural products will decline by 25.6% and will include only traditional vegetables for the cold season and fruit for ensuring the premium retail assortment.

The draft program stipulates measures to increase the value and quantity of the exports of horticultural products to US$295 million in 2019 and to US$ 618 million in 2025. The projected rise in exports is based on the diversification of export markets and advantageous prices. It is estimated that 14 billion lei is needed in the period for developing the national horticultural sector by investment. Of this sum, 4.2 billion lei will represent state subsidies. The largest investments are to be made in postharvest infrastructure. By 2025 these are expected to grow to 7 billion lei.

After the program is consulted with all the interested factors, it will be submitted to the Government for approval.

The program for the development of horticulture in Moldova for 2019-2025 was drafted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment together with the USAID Moldova High Value Added Agriculture Project.