Moldova’s agricultural sector is grappling with a severe crisis as extreme drought conditions have wreaked havoc on the sugar beet harvest. Sudzucker Moldova, the country’s largest sugar producer, is anticipating that the 2024 sugar beet yield will amount to only one-third of the planned harvest due to the unprecedented drought.
Harvest Outlook and Economic Impact
Sudzucker Moldova initially planted sugar beets on over 8,000 hectares with an expected yield of approximately 42 tons per hectare. However, the harsh drought has reduced this forecast drastically, with projections now estimating only one-third of the planned yield, representing a staggering 60% decrease compared to the initial expectations.
Valeriu Nicushor, the manager of Agro-SZM (a subsidiary of Sudzucker Moldova), commented on the dire situation: “The drought has put us in a difficult position. We expect the reduced harvest to negatively impact Moldova’s sugar industry and create additional pressure on the entire agricultural sector. We are negotiating with partners to find solutions that can mitigate the effects of this crisis and are working on support measures for farmers.”
According to Anatolii Gorodenko, the head of raw materials at Sudzucker Moldova, this year has been exceptionally harsh for sugar beet farmers: “Farmers have invested between 35,000 and 40,000 lei per hectare. With the current conditions, only 16 tons per hectare are expected, leading to potential losses ranging from 25,000 to 30,000 lei per hectare.”
Historical Context and Future Prospects
Vyacheslav Oleynik, the chief agronomist at Sudzucker Moldova, highlighted the severity of the current situation: “In my 45 years in the industry, I have never seen a year as challenging as this. The current conditions are unprecedented in the last 50 years and are significantly affecting production.”
Sudzucker Moldova, part of the international Sudzucker AG group, has historically been a leading force in Moldova’s sugar industry. Over the past 23 years, the company has invested around 60 million euros in developing technical and technological advancements for sugar beet production in Moldova.
In addition to the sugar beet crisis, Moldova is also facing a sharp decline in grape harvests due to drought. The Ministry of Agriculture projects a 16% decrease in grape supply for processing, with expected yields falling to 3-12 tons per hectare in 2024.
The drought’s impact on Moldova’s sugar beet crop represents a significant challenge for the country’s agricultural sector. With yields drastically reduced and financial losses mounting, stakeholders are focusing on finding solutions and support measures to navigate this crisis. The situation underscores the broader vulnerability of agricultural production to extreme weather events and the urgent need for resilient strategies in crop management.
