That is, the share of those engaged in large-scale agricultural production, as well as those who produce agricultural products for personal consumption—that is, who practice subsistence farming. It seems there is no room for a third option (in the long term).
As of early 2025, in Moldova, out of a total agricultural land area of nearly 2.2 million hectares, approximately 952,000 hectares (43.3%) were cultivated by agricultural enterprises and organizations, peasant (farmer) households – 518 thousand hectares (23.6%), household farms—378 thousand hectares (17.2%), and other land users—349 thousand hectares (15.9 thousand hectares).
This is evidenced by data from the 2026 annual reference guide “Agricultural Activities of Small Agricultural Producers in the Republic of Moldova,” published by the National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova (BNS).
The share of agricultural enterprises increased by 1.5%—from 929.8 thousand to 951.8 thousand hectares.
Over the past three years, farms of all sizes have generally reduced the scale of their land use—from 587 thousand hectares to 518 thousand (by 2.8%). At the same time, relatively large farms (up to 50 hectares) lost 97,000 hectares; accordingly, their share of the total land area decreased from 20.2% to 16.1%. The losses among small farmers (up to 10 hectares) were even greater—98,000 hectares—representing a decline in their share from 17.2% to 13%.
At the same time, private farms (households) showed a different trend in agricultural land area. The total area of land they cultivate increased over the three-year period—from 337,000 hectares to 378,000 hectares (their share of the total agricultural land stock rose from 15.2% to 17.2%).
In total, small farms (up to 10 hectares) and households account for 663 thousand hectares—30.2%—of Moldova’s agricultural land fund.
Field crops are the main focus of land use by small-scale agricultural producers. Statistics show that their planted area has decreased over the past three years from 493,1 thousand hectares to 424,1 thousand hectares. About 68% of this area is devoted to grains and legumes (58% to grain corn and 11% to sunflowers). A significant portion of small farmers’ land is also devoted to vegetables and potatoes—8% and 5.4%, respectively.
What are small farmers’ strengths?
In 2025, small-scale farmers accounted for 95.5% of all land in Moldova planted with potatoes, nearly 90% of land planted with root vegetables, and more than 86% of melon and gourd crops (watermelons and melons).
Accordingly, small farmers accounted for 89% of the country’s gross potato harvest, 68.3% of vegetable production, and 93% of bean production.
Small farmers are also major producers of grapes and fruits. Last year, they cultivated 154,000 hectares of perennial plantations. Over the past three years, the area under cultivation by this category of farmers has remained virtually unchanged (decreasing by less than 5,000 hectares). Nearly half of these plantations (46,800 hectares) are vineyards.
It is also interesting to note that a significant portion of small farmers’ orchards consists of nut orchards—17.2%
Within the structure of Moldova’s horticulture and viticulture sector, small agricultural producers account for 76.7% of all vineyards, 59.1% of stone fruits, 51.3% of pome fruits, and 55.2% of nut plantations.
In the livestock sector, small farmers and households account for nearly 39% of animals for slaughter, nearly 76% of milk, just over 50% of eggs, and nearly 98% of wool.
