Prime Minister discussed issues with milk producers and processors in Glodeni and Rîșcani

Increasing the share of dairy products manufactured in the Republic of Moldova, the investments needed to develop the sector, as well as the difficulties faced by farmers and processors were discussed by Prime Minister Vasile Tofan with representatives of the sector from Glodeni and Rîșcani districts.

“We need to produce more of the food we consume. We need modern and productive farms. We have moved from subsidizing the number of cows to supporting milk production, thereby stimulating efficiency. More milk produced here, more Moldovan products on store shelves, and more added value remaining in our economy—this is the direction in which we want to develop the sector,” said Tofan.

Over the past five years, milk production on farms in the Republic of Moldova has nearly tripled, from 23,000 to 64,000 tonnes annually. Nevertheless, domestic production currently covers only about 60% of the demand for milk and dairy products. The Government aims to increase this share and support the processing of raw materials domestically, so that more products manufactured in the Republic of Moldova reach store shelves.

To develop the sector, farmers benefit from subsidies and grants for investments in highly productive breeds, modern equipment, and new technologies, including through the Investments for Governance, Growth and Resilience in Agriculture (AGGRI) project.

Gnatiuc family farm in Glodeni and Lactis dairy factory in Rîșcani are two examples of the development of local production and processing. At the Gnatiuc family farm, investments in modern technologies have led to a significant increase in production. The number of dairy cows has reached 365, with a productivity of approximately 42 liters per cow per day.

At Lactis dairy factory in Rîșcani, milk collected from local producers is processed into cheeses, hard cheeses, and other dairy products. The enterprise provides more than 200 jobs and contributes to the development of the local economy. It has benefited from investment support from the state to modernize production and is also developing matured cheeses, a segment dominated by imports, offering competitive local products in terms of quality and price.