The unfavorable weather conditions and the high prices of agricultural inputs, protection products and fertilizers are expected to lead to higher sugar prices. The subject was discussed by the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry with sugar beet producers of the districts of Ocnița, Dondușeni, Rîșcani, and Drochia, IPN reports.

During the discussions, the processor’s representatives said that without irrigation, especially for crops with high added value requiring a twice higher amount of moisture, there can be no viable continuity. The representatives of the largest sugar plant in the Republic of Moldova noted that the losses for farmers will amount to hundreds of millions of lei. About 60% of the sugar beet fields have been compromised. Respectively, there is a risk of an increase in sugar prices and only the farmers, but also the consumers will be affected.

Minister Vladimir Bolea in a Facebook post said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry is working to identify solutions to support the sugar beet sector. A program for the development of sugar beet production will be worked out and, with the modification of the subsidization model, this sector could benefit from subsidies per hectare.

The largest sugar producer in the Republic of Moldova, Südzucker Moldova, about two weeks ago announced that more than 60% of the sugar beet harvest was compromised due to drought. The company cultivated sugar beet on an area of over 8,000 hectares and expected to collect over 42,000 tonnes per hectare. However, due to the drought, the company forecasts that only a third of the planned volumes will be harvested. At the same time, the company anticipates a production shortage that will affect the sugar industry in Moldova.