Agriculture minister says there is enough sugar

Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov said there is enough sugar in Moldova. He expressed his bewilderment at the decision of the candies factory “Bucurua” to suspend its work as the company should have informed about the lack of sugar several months ago, not several days before the halt. The minister made statements for the press after a meeting with sugar producers, Info-Prim Neo reports. Vasile Bumacov said the sugar beet harvest in 2009 was rather low and there are no large reserves of sugar this year. According to him, the first concerns that Moldova may experience a shortage of sugar until the new harvest were expressed a month ago. It was thus decided to import 4 500 tonnes of sugar into Moldova. “The factory “Bucuria” had the possibility of importing sugar too. But, in order to import, they need money to pay and the money can be borrowed from banks. The loan must be repaid and somebody probably decided to avoid paying interest and use the sugar that can be taken without paying money in advance. However, this is one of the versions,” said the minister. He also said that he cannot discuss with representatives of the factory’s administration as nobody phoned him and told him anything. “It is strange as I can find them neither,” said Vasile Bucamov. The factory’s employees said they found out about the problems faced by the company from the press. “The administration told us nothing. I have worked here for nine years and never heard such rumors,” said employee Natalia Ciobanu. Another employee, Vladimir Efros said he does not believe the press reports as the factory works according to the normal regime and they have not been informed about a possible halt. Buyers of candies expressed their disappointment at the news. Svetlana Munteanu from Chisinau said it would be bad if the factory closed as they have purchased candies only from “Bucuria” during many years. The factory’s administration was unavailable for comment. On September 1, the press reported that “Bucuria” may suspend its work as it does not have sufficient quantities of sugar. The factory is owned by the Russian company Trade House Valday (66.46% of the shares), the Moldovan company “Legenda” and another about 4 400 stockholders. ““Bucuria” started work in 1946 and produces over 250 types of candies.