Representatives of the government assure that even if a global food crisis is in prospect, the Republic of Moldova will not  experience famine. PAS MP Vladimir Bolea said the country will not face a shortage of products, but higher prices. According to the MP, the state constantly monitors the prices and intervenes when abuses are identified. For their part, the farmers call on the authorities to de-monopolize the market and to support the small and medium-sized farmers, IPN reports.

PAS MP Vladimir Bolea assures that there are no preconditions for a large-scale food crisis in Moldova. After the export of wheat was halted, the country created reserves that can satisfy internal consumption for a period of 300 days. The soaring prices are now the most serious problem.

“There will be no famine in the Republic of Moldova. The main preoccupation of the Government is how to control prices. A crisis in the Republic of Moldova will not be generated by the shortage of products, but by the exorbitant prices. As regards food products, the Commission for Exceptional Situations decided to extend the list of socially important products up to 20 major products whose price is regulated by the state. It also goes to vegetables. The profit margin on vegetables is capped to 20%” Vladimir Bolea stated in the talk show “Friday with Anatolie Golea” on RTR Moldova channel.

Farmers said the state should provide additional support to small and mid-sized famers so that these are able to process their production, reducing Moldova’s dependence on imports this way.

“The food security strategy should be reviewed. The recent rise in the price of cooking oil showed how vulnerable Moldova is before a narrow group of people who control the process of keeping products, their transportation and export and control processing already too. This way, this group of people easily influences the prices of products. Regrettably, the state is not a player in this process. The state should ensure de-monopolization and should support the small and medium-sized farmers,” said the chairman of the Association “Force of Farmers” Alexandru Slusari.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, food prices in April 2022 grew by 30.17% on last April.