Minister of Economy Sergiu Gaibu said he didn’t see empty shelves in stores, but admits that there can be a shortage of salt (as consumers reported, e.n.) given that this product is mostly imported from Ukraine. He noted there are alternatives and salt is already imported from other states, IPN reports.
In a news conference, the minister said the supplies in Moldova can be enough for two weeks to 25 days, depending on the type of product, frequency of purchases and other criteria. The shortage of salt is definitely temporary. Some of the persons can buy products in larger amounts due to disinformation, but the stores will be soon refilled and the consumers will be supplied with the necessary products.
Sergiu Gaibu noted three are no risks related to the macro-encomia situation in the country and no products will disappear from store shelves. Discussions are being held with business associations, sectors of the economy and officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry. The products that were imported from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus will be substituted with products from other countries.
According to the Ministry of Economy, Moldova’s exports to Ukraine represent 3%, to Belarus – about 3%, to the Russian Federation – 8.8% and over ¼ of these exports constitute re-exports. As to imports, Moldova imports about 2% of products from Belarus, 9.3% – from Ukraine and 14%, mostly energy resources – from the Russian Federation.
