Tenders for the replenishment of the State Grain Reserve will continue on August 10

On August 10, 2007, the Government will organise the second national tender for the replenishment of the state food grain supply. If the offers do not cover the require amount, as it has happened in the case of the previous tenders, grain will be imported, as decided by the Committee for Emergency Situations. Official reports concerning supplies of grain and wheat flour for the country show that food security in Moldova is stable for the moment, and there are no reasons to declare a state of crisis. According to officials, prices of grain have stabilised worldwide and are registering a downward trend. The authorities affirm that there are no reasons for bread price hikes, despite a two times lower wheat harvest compared with last year. PM Vasile Tarlev says the artificial bread price hikes are economically unreasoned and, furthermore, are inhumane. The prime minister requested the State Tax Inspectorate and the Centre for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption to monitor the bread prices countrywide, and the presidents of districts to cooperate more actively with the bakeries with the view to ensuring grain imports at reasonable prices, without intermediaries. Purchasing prices of food grain for the state reserve will vary between 3000 and 3200 lei a tonne, depending on gluten contents. The Agency for Public Procurement and Humanitarian Aid plans to purchase for the state reserve 50 to 55 thousand tonnes of wheat. Imports of wheat, flour, bread, barley and fodder have been exempted from customs duties and VAT. Experts forecast that Moldova will be compelled this year to import up to 260,000 tonnes of grain.