Sergei Tutovan
The Moldovan government promised assistance to agricultural producers to overcome the consequences of the unprecedented spring frosts of this year. To this end, the heads of the Cabinet of Ministers and the MAIA Ministry of Agriculture and Poultry called on agricultural producers to carry out a detailed calculation of the degree of damage within 30 days.
“There are losses, of course. On some table grape plantations they are substantial. However, the situation resembles a chessboard with black and light squares even within one farm. And even more so in the region,” says Sergei Tutovan, chairman of the Table Grape Producers Association of the Cahul region.
According to him, there is no extinction on more or less high located vine plantations in the south of Moldova. There are also no cases of continuous death of vegetative organs of grapevines in lowlands. “Although I have repeatedly observed a strange situation: two bushes in the neighborhood – one is completely frozen, the other is not even touched by frost,” states Serghei Tutovan. – Winegrowers together with competent state agencies, as called for by MAIA, are assessing the condition of vineyards and documenting losses. However, it is very difficult to assess them objectively at the moment”.
Table grape plantations, formed according to the Pergola type, are in relatively better condition. Usually they develop later in spring (and are harvested last). Accordingly, April frosts did not practically harm this type of plantations.
