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Moldova. Grape harvest forecast
In 2010, due to unfavourable weather conditions, grape harvest in Moldova is expected at 390-400 thousand tonnes (280 thousand tonnes less than in the previous year).
According to Vasiliy Bumakov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, such table grape varieties as Cardinal and Muscat Hamburg suffered in a greater degree from rains and frosts.
Amongst wine grape varieties, plantations of Merlot were the most injured with half productivity decrease than in the previous season.
«Grape productivity decrease was caused by, mainly, spring frosts. Farmers were not able to treat vinelands properly and spray plantations in time, due to frequent rains in the early summer», - the Deputy Minister told.
Mr Bumakov said, that in the current year vinelands suffered also from different diseases owing to unfavourable weather conditions. He noted, that the most part of harvest is for export, and about 260 thousand tonnes will be processed by vine producers.
«In 2010 Moldova expects 130-140 mln litres of vine», - the Deputy Minister said. «And 220 mln litres of preious year vine are unsold.»