Moldovan producers demand resumption of sunflower seed imports from Ukraine

MOSCOW. March 29 (Interfax) - Moldovan Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Vladimir Bolea will meet with representatives of sunflower seed producing and processing enterprises on Monday in light of the difficult situation facing sunflower seed production in Moldova.

The decision to discuss this problem was adopted after Floarea Soarelui, Moldova's largest sunflower oil maker, suspended the operations of two factories, Ukrainian media said, citing the Moldovan news agency Infotag. Floarea Soarelui said that it has no raw stuff as farmers refuse to sell sunflower seeds at the current market price, while sunflower seed imports are strictly licensed.

"Moldova's sunflower seed stocks are around 350,000 tonnes today. Therefore, any claims about the lack of such stocks are speculation. At the same time, the pricing policy should be impartial, fair and responsible with regard to the end consumer," Bolea said on social media.

"Refraining from political statements and being guided exclusively by the economic component," the Moldovan Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry will ensure the platform for dialogue with sunflower seed producing and processing companies, he said.

"Each party will provide real figures to allow us to make decisions and find viable solutions for the new sunflower harvest," Bolea said.

As reported, Moldova has extended the licensing system for sunflower seed imports from Ukraine by three months.