The Association of Grain Exporters “Agrocereale” calls on the Government to unblock corn exports. After the Commission for Exceptional Situations banned the export of corn, many famers suffer losses, the Association’s chairman Igor Grigoriev stated for IPN.
“10% of the corn harvest is yet in the fields and this corn can start to sprout. The corn harvested last autumn and this January and February has a high level of humidity and this is the biggest problem. When exports were stopped, internal purchases also stopped and the farmers sustain losses. A large part of these kept the corn for selling it so as to gain money for performing spring works, while others have to repay loans. The exporters and farmers realize that the Government takes such measures to ensure the country’s food security, but the decision does not take important aspects into account. The corn now has a humidity level of over 18% and cannot be stored. To be preserved, the humidity level should be 13-14%. Conditions for keeping corn in stores need to be created for at least three-five months. We do not have such capacities,” stated Igor Grigoriev, noting that if measures to dry the corn are not taken, 1.5 million tonnes of corn will go rotten.
He reminded that a record corn harvest of 3.5 million tonnes was gathered in 2021. He considers that even if the exports are resumed, Moldova’s food security will not be affected.
Contacted by IPN for a comment, Vasile Șarban, secretary of state at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, said the decision to stop wheat and corn exports was taken in connection with the war in Ukraine.
“The pressure on the Republic of Moldova would have been too great. A large quantity of grain could have been exported. To prevent this, we decided to temporarily stop corn and wheat exports. We are doing calculations and today will meet with representatives of “Agrocereale” Association. The corn exports could be resumed to a particular extent. Even if we had a record corn harvest in the Republic of Moldova in 2021, we now have a dry year and the corn harvest in 2022 will definitely be smaller than in 2021. The business entities aim to gather money, while we aim to ensure the country’s food security,” said Vasile Șarban.
