The 8% price increase will add to the recent price rise caused by hiking the value added tax (VAT) to 24%, from 19%.
According to Stefan, the situation is even worse, taking into account the fact that farmers will not be granted subsidies this year and that, after the law regarding natural damages was repealed at the beginning of the year, farmers will get no damage payments for crops destroyed by rain.
Stefan said farmers lack any financial resources for farm works to be carried out this fall, which means next year’s agricultural production will also be affected. Stefan highlighted that, considering this situation, the agriculture sector will not contribute to the country’s economic growth.
The union leader called on Agriculture Minister Mihail Dumitru to go to the areas affected by floods, assess the damages and find real solutions to help the sector overcome the deadlock it is facing.
AGROSTAR was set up in 1990 and comprises over 150 agriculture unions.