EU-granted export quota on corn best used

The export quota on corn granted by the European Union to Moldova in 2009 – 20,000 tonnes – in the first half of this year was 90.51% used, Info-Prim Neo reports. Octavian Calmac, head of the General Commercial Policy Division of the Ministry of Economy and Trade, said that the institution issued 810 authorizations for 17 companies. The largest quantities of corn were exported by Agrotera-impex SRL, Anvar-Com SRL, Almarsvet, Prolific-Prim, Dogor, Grap and the Bender bread grains company. The quota on barley of 25,000 tonnes was 19.73% used. The 205 authorizations were issued to four companies: Elevator Kelley Grains, Agroindexport, Liukka, and Aur Alb. More applications for being issued with authorizations are being submitted. The quota on grape wine for this year is 70,000 hectoliters. 2/3 of it were used. Out of the 509 authorizations, 150 were granted to the joint company Vinaria Bostovan, Octavian Calmac said. Among the exporters are companies that sold wine products to the EU last year as well. Yet, they do not include Acorex Wine Holding, which, according to Octavian Calmac, faces financial problems. The export quota on sugar of 18,000 tonnes was 85.22% used only by the joint company Sudzucher Moldova. The other large sugar producer, Maar Sugar, did not apply for export authorizations. Octavian Calmac said that it is highly probable that the export quotas on grape wine, sugar and grains granted by the EU for this year will be used up. The companies will ask for more authorizations in autumn, when the harvest is over. The quotas on other products, of animal origin for example, could be used from 2010, when the national compliance assessment system meets the European norms. The legislation and the laboratory system are now being adjusted to the conditions imposed by the EU. The companies also implement changes. About 10 companies in Moldova might be allowed to export animal products to the EU.