The farmers started to harvest the sunflower seeds. Though the forecasts were initially more optimistic, the hot weather and lack of precipitation in August affected the crops. Even so, the harvest is expected to total 500,000 tonnes of seeds, which is twice more than last year, IPN reports.

“The crop will be sufficient for fully satisfying the internal needs and for exporting large quantities of sunflower seeds and oil. The sunflower oil represents about 25% of Moldova’s exports,” Minister of Agriculture Vasile Bumacov said in an event held to launch the harvesting in Chetrosu, Anenii Noi.

The farmers consider that the production of sunflower seeds is a profitable business. The areas allowed for crop rotation were exceeded by about 50,000 hectares. For this reason, this process should be stricter regulated, said Vasile Bumacov.

The Ministry of Agriculture will insist on the extension of orchards and vineyards. It is harder to grow grapes and fruit, but the farmers excessively dry soil by cultivating only sunflower.

The minister didn’t rule out that the larger sunflower seeds harvest this year may lead to a lower price of oil. However, the farmers are urged not to sell the seeds at a too low price to speculating persons.