Drought caused $1b loss to Moldova’s agriculture

Moldova’s agricultural sector sustained an officially estimated loss of about 1 billion dollars. This year’s drought and dog days have affected 84 percent of the total arable land (less affected were the districts of Briceni, Ocnita, Edinet and Donduseni). Rainfall over the past 10 months was 50% below the multi-annual average, while air temperature exceeded the multi-annual average by 3.5 to 4.5ºC. The total harvest of first-group grain and legume crops made up roughly 620,000 tonnes, 570,000 tonnes (48%) down from official forecasts, and the total harvest of wheat represented about 430,000 tonnes. For the grain and legume crops of first group alone, according to expert estimates, loss tops 1 billion lei. The lasting high temperatures cause continuous losses to the agricultural sector, diminishing the level of expected yields of late crops (sunflower, corn, sugar beet), of vegetables and fruits. Orchards have also sustained big losses. Among all the types of plantations, only vineyards are currently in a relatively acceptable situation. It is planned to harvest 560,000 tonnes of grapes, of which 450,000 from industrial fields. Drought has a major negative impact on the animal husbandry sector as well, mainly because of dried out pastureland and shortage of fodder. According to official forecasts, for meat production alone losses will exceed 1.7 million lei. Besides, the quantity and quality of fodder have a direct impact on milk production, with loss in this sector being estimated at 1.4 million lei. Fish breeding will sustain an estimated loss of 50 million lei.