In Moldova, this crop is grown exclusively to the order of two local sugar companies. According to the preliminary estimate of the Union of Sugar Producers of Moldova UPZM, a total of almost 7,000 hectares of crops died out.
Sugar beet is one of the earliest spring crops. By the moment when Moldova was hit by a wave of April frosts, in some regions farmers had managed to sow about 90% of the agricultural areas contracted by sugar producers for the harvest of this raw material. However, in some beet sowing areas, sowing has only just begun. Accordingly, the level of losses was relatively low.
According to UPZM, at least one of the two sugar companies has already purchased sugar beet seeds abroad to reseed the lost contracted plantations. There is still time for reseeding. However, the forecasted warming, lack of precipitation and increased wind in the coming days is not the best weather combination for sowing, as the land will lose moisture quickly.
The sugar beet growers appeal to local authorities for assistance in issuing certificates of fatal frost damage to sugar beet crops and intend to request assistance from the Moldovan authorities and international donors.
