News about Agribusiness

Barley in Moldova is one of the most stable crops of the grain group in recent seasons. Its export volumes are moderately progressive, prices are growing. Not a typical, but striking fact: in the 2025/26 season, the average price of barley exceeded the average price of wheat. Nevertheless, the area of barley planted for the 2026 harvest in the country, according to experts of the Ministry of Agriculture, has not increased for a number of reasons.

Fendt Chairman of the Board of Management Christoph Groblinghoff predicts that the agricultural machinery market will only resume growth from 2027. At the same time, he warns of increased competition from Chinese agricultural machine manufacturers.

During the past week, May cane sugar futures (#11) on the New York exchange rose 7% to $15.86/lb or $350/t (+8.8% for the month). This is the maximum for the last seven months. White sugar (#5) at the exchange in London added 8.7% to $462.5/t (+13% for the month). In general, according to the estimates of experts of analytical agencies, in March world sugar prices increased by 9-13%. Before that, in February, they fell to a five-year low.

The needs and opportunities for the development of the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) for farmers in the Republic of Moldova were identified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA) and the Center for Agricultural Consultants (CCAR) during a joint meeting with development partners – representatives of the PL Solidarity Fund in Moldova and the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in the Republic of Moldova.

As a result of face-to-face inspections carried out by inspectors of the National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA) at the border points of the Republic of Moldova, a consignment of 10.5 tons of poor-quality imported dried fruit mixture (apples, apricots, plums, cherries) was detected.

Specifying the country of origin of goods may increase sales of local producers up to 15% in the fresh produce segment. Such a draft was discussed on Wednesday, March 25, in the parliamentary commission for economy, budget and finance.

Russia suspended ammonium nitrate exports for a month. Exports will resume on April 21. The ministry explained this by the priority of providing fertilizers to Russian farmers during spring field work. The exception will be deliveries under intergovernmental agreements.

The March report of the International Grains Council (IGC) forecasts a 1.3% decline in global corn production in the 2026/27 marketing season to 1.303 billion tons. At the same time, global consumption of this grain will increase and is likely to exceed production. The final stocks of corn grain will decrease significantly.

Forța Fermierilor, an association of grain and oilseed producers, will fight for the sector of these products, which are grown annually on about 85% of Moldova’s total land area, to be included in the Strategic Program of Agrarian Policy (PSPA). This document should also contain an EU directive to reimburse agrarians for excise duties on diesel fuel on a permanent basis.

Problems with the quality of Argentine sunflower imported to the Black Sea countries this spring are changing the balance on the market of the region in a paradoxical way. On the one hand, there is nominally more raw material. On the other hand, the actual supply of sunflower suitable for processing into food and fodder has not increased in the regional market. Obviously, such a contradiction between expectation and reality in the very near future will be reflected in the regional sunflower prices.

Trade in wheat of the new harvest has revived on the Ukrainian market. Some farmers and agricultural holdings have started to enter into forward contracts more actively, using current grain prices to fix future sales. At the same time, forward market prices are already higher than spot market prices, which is uncommon.

The Republic of Moldova will join the European Conventions on the protection of animals in international transport and those animals kept on farms.

Team Europe’s initiative “Sustainable Agrifood Systems” announced a competition for funding of associations of agricultural producers in Moldova. The total budget of the grant line is 250 thousand euros, the maximum grant size is 50 thousand euros. Five groups of farmers will receive funding. The deadline for submission of applications is April 6, 2026.

World trade in wheat flour will fall to a four-year low in the 2025/26 marketing year. This forecast was issued by the International Grains Council (IGC). According to the organization’s estimates, trade volumes will be about 16 million tons (in terms of wheat), which is 3% less than last year. Sales are falling for the second season in a row.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova launches for the first time the “Best Wineries 2026” competition to recognize and promote excellence in the national wine sector.

Increase in tariffs for road transportation services is becoming a key factor in trade in agricultural products. The increase in diesel and gasoline prices by an average of 30% over the last two weeks has almost led to a situation where the sale of agricultural commodities becomes unprofitable due to high transportation costs.

In 2025, Brazil recorded the highest agricultural production in history and consolidated its position as one of the world’s leading powers in food production. This is according to the latest data from the Brazilian State Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).

Spot prices for granulated urea in key FOB markets exceeded $700/t on the back of blocking most supplies from the Middle East, which limits available supply in the global market.

The law on phytosanitary products will be amended to unblock the market, avoid shortages of plant protection products and create predictable rules for farmers.

The attacks on Iran increased the wholesale price of flour-grade wheat from the Black Sea region by about $6/t.