FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 11/98 - MOLDOVA (24 November)
Total 1998 cereal production is estimated at 2.65 tonnes against 3.3 million tonnes last year. The maize crop of 1.4 million tonnes is eighteen percent lower than the 1997 outturn, although it remains well above the average for 1992-1997. Wheat production was estimated at around 1 million tonnes, down on last year’s and somewhat below average.
The main reasons for the drop in production this year relate to the low profitability of the crop and dry conditions in April 1998 which affected the planting of spring crops.
With ample domestic supplies, significant commercial imports of cereals are unlikely in the 1998/99 marketing year (July/June). Cereal exports for 1998/99 are tentatively forecast at 0.3 million tonnes.
The winter grains area for harvest in 1999 is forecast to increase to about 0.5 million hectares from an average of some 0.4 million hectares.
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