MOLDOVA (6 February)
Area planted with winter cereals, mainly wheat and barley, is estimated at 313 000 hectares, which is about 184 000 hectares less than initial plans. Despite favourable weather conditions, farmers did not have sufficient access to seeds, machinery, fuel and fertilizers, following last year’s worst crop failure in living memory. Hopes are pinned on spring crops, which are highly susceptible to spring and summer precipitation and temperatures. Last year wheat harvest was estimated at 102 000 tonnes compared with almost 1.2 million tonnes the year before, while barley harvest declined from 256 000 tonnes to a mere 48 000 tonnes. Maize planted in late spring and early summer last year yielded more than 1.5 million tonnes, compared with 1.19 million tonnes in 2002, the latter was considered a record harvest.