Sugar producers in Moldova suffer losses due to falling sales

Chisinau, 14 August /MOLDPRES/- In the last two years there have been record sugar stocks, formed as a result of the dramatic drop in domestic sales and the lack of real export markets. The phenomenon has several reasons, according to sugar producers in the Republic of Moldova, who had a working meeting with Georgeta Mincu, Minister of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment today.

The participants in the meeting asked the government to take urgent measures to protect the internal market. They explained that the domestic producers of sugar suffer huge losses because the export on the European markets is limited by the allowed quotas, and the one on the markets of the CIS is practically stopped due to political and economic circumstances.

Another problem, in the opinion of the producers, is the marketing of sugar under dubious conditions. "Smuggling" flourishes "in small markets, often through patent holders, who sell small quantities of sugar, smuggled into the country and sold at prices lower than the official market. Thus, at present, because of these and other reasons, such as the exodus of the population of the country, we sell sugar below the real cost level ”, the representative of a sugar producer in the country said.

In this context, Georgeta Mincu said she will start the necessary procedures to protect the producers in the branch.

In another context, the participants asked support from MADRM on organizing efficient irrigation systems, much needed to sugar beet growers, especially in the unpredictable weather conditions in our country.

Mincu said that at present, the irrigation stations are being retransmitted from the Public Property Agency under the management of the Apele Moldovei Agency, or, as soon as this process is completed, the respective issue will be broached. At the same time, the official recommended to the producers to establish partnerships with the Water Users' Associations, which could provide the necessary support to irrigate the sugar beet plantations.

Currently, two large sugar producers are operating in Moldova, with factories in Drochia, Falesti and Cupcini, as well as several economic agents that market, export or import sugar. In the country, sugar beet is grown on an area of over 16 thousand hectares, in 12 districts, especially in the northern region of the country.