As pequested by Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev, the Chisinau-based state-run Franzeluta Bakery will open shops in the Gagauz Autonomy and Basarabeasca, in order to create competition to the local producers. On October 19, Vasile Tarlev told the Government Commission for Emergencies that the residents of Comrat complained about the fact that there is only one Franzeluta shop left in their city, which sells bread only in the morning. The rest of the day, people buy bread in other shops at higher prices. The PM asserts that Franzeluta has the necessary raw material and production capacity to solve the problem. Furthermore, the decision matches the company’s strategy to open subsidiaries in all district centres of the country. Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Anatol Gorodenco mentioned that at the moment 80 % of the flour used by Franzeluta is imported. Only 20% of the used flour is from the state or company’s reserve. The enterprise processes about 3,100 tonnes of flour monthly, holding reserves just for one month at the moment. Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce, Viorel Melnic, mentioned that in the last two weeks, the prices for wheat, flour and bread haven’t changed. The wheat was sold for 3.5-3.8 lei per kg. Bread in some districts went up by 5%. In Dubasari, bread cheapened by 5%. According to the Deputy Minister, profitability in bread production ranges from 8 to 10%. High quality flour supplied by the Chisinau-based Cereal Processing Company is sold for 4.25 lei, without VAT. “Moldcoop” Association sells flour for 4.65 lei, without VAT. Melnic mentioned that these prices are much lower than the critical price of MDL 6.6 attained in June. 16,200 tonnes of grain has been imported in Moldova over the last two weeks, totalling about 59.6 million lei, 90% of the quantity being wheat flour.