Moldova’s ecological exports to increase fourfold by 2026

According to pessimistic scenarios concerning the extension of the ecological fields to 3% of the available farmland in 2026, the ecological experts will total over €60 million, as against €15 million in 2011, based only on the exports of vegetal products. Such a conclusion was reached by the authors of the report “Ecological agriculture in Moldova: local and regional prospects” that was compiled by FinAsist Consulting SRL for the Organization for the Attraction of Investments and Promotion of Exports of Moldova (MIEPO), Info-Prim Neo reports. The report says that after trade and industry, agriculture is the third largest stimulus for the national economy. However, agriculture is dominated by the production of households, which shows that it is fragmented and not very rentable. The sector is overwhelmingly dominated by conventional agriculture (99% of the farmland). This stimulates ecological imbalance and increased doses of fertilizers, fuel and pesticides. The experts said that the ecological agriculture in Moldova is a dynamic sector with potential. During 2008-2010, the ecological areas increased to over 22,000 ha. Nevertheless, the tight budgets for 2011 and 2012 and the declared intentions for 2013 gradually brought a relative dilution of the subsidization measures. Currently, the perception of businesses in this field is negative and a part of the ecological fields may be withdrawn from circuit. However, it is expected that the value of ecological exports will grow to over €60 million. The authors of the report say the local market for selling ecological products is almost inexistent as the vegetal ecological products are sold at the price of the conventional products and this is discouraging for the ecological producers. Thus, the preconditions for developing the national ecological agriculture must be related exclusively to the export markets, at least on a medium-term. They are mature and can digest the national ecological products, offering fair prices to the national producers. The Government’s policies must be aimed at avoiding an imbalance and the first step is to review the subsidization policy by reintroducing support measures for the sector.