OREANDA-NEWS. November 19, 2013. The wine is on the top of the agri-food exports, with an 18-per cent quota. Agriculture and Food Minister Vasile Bumacov presented data to this.

Bumacov admitted that the restrictions imposed by the Russian authorities had influenced the exports. Yet, discussions are presently held on the matter to improve the situation, he said.

“The trade balance on agro-food products is positive, standing at 64.4 million dollars in January-August 2013,” Bumacov said. He added that the export of agro-food products had amounted to 574.7 million dollars, up by 11.7 per cent. The export of vegetable products increased by 30 per cent, whereas the exports of sunflower seeds doubled.

Bumacov said that the agricultural subsidies fund had amounted to about 462 million lei. At the same time, 4.5-billion-lei-investments were raised in the agro-food sector.

The results of the 2013 agricultural year show that 3 million tons of cereals were harvested this year, up by 43 per cent against the average of the 2010-2012 years, as well as 544,000 tons of sunflower and 910,000 tons of sugar beet. The sugar production was expected to be of 110,000 tons, that will cover the domestic needs and the share of export to the EU.