"Moldova Fruct" Association calls for state of calamity in agriculture after frost and hail
After orchards across nearly all regions of the Republic of Moldova were impacted by two waves of severe frosts in April, followed by hail at the end of May, the “Moldova Fruct” Association is urging the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture to declare a state of agricultural emergency due to spring natural calamities, by May 31. In an official request sent on May 23 to Prime Minister Dorin Recean and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Ludmila Catlabuga, the Association highlighted the significant losses experienced by farmers. The weather events—specifically, frosts occurring from April 7 to 11 and again from April 28 to 29, as well as hailstorms on May 1—have severely impacted crops during critical stages of growth, such as flowering and fruit formation, according to representatives of “Moldova Fruct.”
According to preliminary estimates, losses in the horticultural sector exceed 70% of the expected harvest in most regions, with some areas facing losses approaching 90-100%. The crops most severely affected include apricot, cherry, plum, peach, sour cherry, and apple. For instance, apricot losses are estimated at 97.25%, amounting to 77.5 million lei, while plum losses stand at 79.24%, with total losses assessed at over 333 million lei.
The association warns that farmers will incur expenses exceeding 835 million lei this year for maintaining orchards and securing next year's harvest—costs that this season's sales income cannot cover. They state, "These expenses cannot be covered by sales income and threaten the economic viability of orchards and the country's fruit exports."
In a request submitted to the authorities, Moldova Fruct has demands that include:
- The declaration of a state of natural disaster
- A rapid and transparent assessment of damages
- The issuance of force majeure certificates
- The allocation of a compensation fund, following the model used by EU countries
- Compensation for excise duties on diesel used in agriculture
- Simplification of tax procedures for affected farmers
- Payment of arrears in agricultural insurance subsidies
- Utilization of support funds provided by the European Union
The association emphasizes that without urgent government intervention, the fruit-growing sector risks collapse during the 2025-2026 agricultural years. Notably, the Forța Fermierilor Association has also joined Moldova Fruct's request.
When contacted for comment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Development indicated that it awaits data from district councils, specifically from the district agricultural directorates, stating, "The personnel there are responsible for analyzing the situation in the region."
Daniela Braga Turculeț, head of the communication service at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, explained to Teleradio-Moldova that the mayor must convene a commission at the farmers' request, with a representative from the district agricultural directorate participating. Afterward, the district authorities are responsible for compiling and sending the findings to the ministry.
