The grain crops are highly endangered by the high temperatures this winter, experts in the sphere warn.

Deputy Chairman of Uniagroprotect Agricultural Manufacturers Union , Igor Vatamaniuc, stated for BASA-press that autumn crops are exposed to frost risk due to lack of snow. According to him, if springtime temperatures maintain, premature vegetation may start.

Another risk is lack of precipitations that favor droughts.

IDIS Viitorul Economic analyst Viorel Chivriga, expert of the Rural Development Coalition, says that several scenarios are possible. The first one is pessimistic, analogical to the one in 2006, implies partial discredit of the grain crops. The second scenario is favorable, on condition that high temperatures maintain and no further frosts happen. In this case, grains will simply be harvest earlier.

"The increase of expenditures to be borne by farmers as a result of additional works to treat plants, including chemical pest, diseases and weeds combating, are expected to increase", said Chivriga.

As to the prices, farmers will not enjoy low grain prices similar to 2004-2005 anymore. Chivriga considers that in 2007 prices will stay high due to increased demand for these products on internal and regional markets.

In 2006, the Republic of Moldova obtained about 1 million tons of grains, including approximately 680 thousand tons of wheat and about 300 thousand tons of barley.

Chisinau-19.01.2007/10:03:41/(BASA-economic)