Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Viorel Gherciu said there are no reasons for concern about an eventual food crisis in the Republic of Moldova as the country has enough supplies of corn, wean, sunflower, sugar for satisfying internal demand. The ban on the export of wheat wasn’t lifted, but corn export was resumed as the stores of corn are sufficient until the new harvest, IPN reports.
The minister noted the risks related to the shortage of food products on store shelves are reduced. The country possesses the most important agrifood products to cope with the crisis generated by the Russo-Ukrainian war.
“We have enough resources to keep the situation under control. The Republic of Moldova is an exporter of agrifood products. We have enough supplies of corn, wheat. The amount of corn we produce is three times larger than consumption. In the case of wheat, we also produce three times more than we consume. The Ministry of Agriculture is closely monitoring the export of corn and sunflower so as to eventually stop exports if the critical level is reached. For us, it is important to satisfy internal demand and to ensure the functioning of processing enterprises so that local consumers do not experience a shortage of the necessary products,” Viorel Gherciu stated in the program “Important” on TVC21 channel.
The minister said the stores of agrifood products are thoroughly monitored and only the export of the products that are in abundance is allowed so as to fully satisfy internal needs.
“On March 1, the export of wheat was temporarily halted as we determined that the wheat supplies are enough until the next crop, with a small reserve. As to corn, we initially banned export, but then allowed to resume it after reexamining the existing stores. We consider it is important for the business entities that made investments to benefit from the planned profit. We strictly monitor the situation so that we have the supplies needed to cover the population’s needs,” stated Viorel Gherciu.
On March 30, Moldova’s Prime Minister said the agriculture subsidization fund in 2022 will be of 1.75 billion lei, as opposed to 1.1 billion lei in 2021. Natalia Gavrilița also said that the areas covered by subsidies were extended. Subsidies will be provided for covering 30% of the value of excise duties on diesel fuel used in agriculture.
