Last summer’s drought didn’t allow the producers of wheat and barley to fulfill the export quotas granted under preferential regime by the European Union. The expectations this year are more optimistic. Contacted by IPN, adviser to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Constantin Rotaru said that last year the national producers exported slightly over 2,000 tonnes of wheat to the EU, which is only 4.4% of the offered quota of 55,000 tonnes.

As the grain harvests were small, the national producers enjoyed advantageous offers inside the country. A kilogram of wheat was sold even for 4 lei, said Constantin Rotaru.

According to the Economy Ministry, there were issued five authorizations for the export of wheat to Romania and the UK. No applications were submitted for authorizing the export of barley.

Since 2008, Moldova has benefited from a preferential trade regime with the EU. The Moldovan companies are able to export over 10,000 types of products to the EU member states without paying customs duties.

Until 2015, the export quotas granted by the EU to Moldova will be 50,000 tonnes for barley, 45,000 tonnes for corn, and 55,000 tonnes for wheat.