Republic of Moldova: The 2005 autumn draught shifted the barley balance towards spring sowings

For the 2006 crop year, the barley acreage constituted 225,200 ha, of which 76,730 ha under winter barley and 148.86 under spring barley. These proportions were generally caused by the re-sowing of barley during the spring because of a severe draught recorded during the autumn 2005. 95,400 t of the 2006 crop have been already contracted for export for a price of US$/t 97.8. Meanwhile, average prices during the last week were ranging between FCA US$/t 112and CPT Reni US$/t 120, Logos Press published October 27.

In 2005, areas sowed with barley contracted by 5,000 ha reaching 119,000 ha. Farmers harvested 253,300 t of barley, 34,100 t less year-on-year. The winter barley crop totalled 128,000 t while the spring barley harvest reached 125,300 t. In the same year, shipments of barley generated a return of US$133.4 million.

In 2001 and 2002, barley export prices were US$/t 73.74 and US$/t 66.92. In 2004 and 2005, the Moldavian barley was sold for US$/t 85.8 and US$/t 96.21.

27 October, 2006