INTERVIEW MOLDPRES // Moldovan agriculture and food industry minister says European integration fundamentally changes way leadership supports agriculture

The 2025 year has brought tangible results for the agriculture of Moldova, marked by solid investments, accelerated modernization and significant steps towards European integration. In an interview given exclusively with MOLDPRES,  Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Ludmila Catlabuga stressed that these achievements showed a fundamental change in the way the state supports farmers and rural development.

MOLDPRES: Mrs. Minister, how would you characterize the year 2025 for the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry from the perspective of European integration?

Ludmila Catlabuga: The year 2025 was, without exaggeration, a landmark year for the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry in the European integration process.  Moldova has undergone the screening exercise in all areas of competence of the ministry - agriculture, rural development, food safety, sanitary, veterinary and  phytosanitary policies, as well as fisheries. This process is essential for preparing the accession negotiations, as it allows us to accurately assess the level of alignment of the regulatory and institutional framework with the European Union acquis and clearly identify the next steps.

MOLDPRES: What concrete progress has been made in the area of food safety and European standards?

Ludmila Catlabuga: In the segment of food safety and standards, Moldova has significantly advanced in harmonizing the sanitary, veterinary and phytosanitary framework. This progress has been supported by strengthening control and laboratory capacities, training inspectors and establishing traceability and official control systems across the entire food chain. All these measures are essential, in order to ensure consumers’ protection and to allow Moldovan products to meet the strict requirements of the European market.

MOLDPRES: Does European integration imply changes in the administration of financial support for agriculture? What is the ministry doing in this regard?

Ludmila Catlabuga: A key element is the modernization of the way the state administers financial support for agriculture. We are advancing with the implementation of the National Farmers Register and the parcels’ identification system. These tools will provide a single and transparent record of farmers and agricultural holdings, correlate data on areas, activities and eligibility, and significantly reduce bureaucracy, both for the state and for farmers. More importantly, they create the technical foundation necessary for switching, in the future, to direct payments per area, as it works in the European Union member states.

MOLDPRES: How do farmers perceive this process of alignment with EU standards?

Ludmila Catlabuga: We notice a more mature dialogue with the agricultural business environment. More and more farmers understand that aligning with EU standards is not just an obligation, but a real opportunity for modernization, enhanced competitiveness and access to stable markets. European integration means not only negotiations and legislative harmonization, but also a fundamental change in how the state supports agricultural development.

MOLDPRES: In the context, what role does the new subsidy law play?

Ludmila Catlabuga: The development of the new legal framework regarding subsidization is a natural and necessary step. The new subsidy law, which comes into effect on January 1, 2026, is meant designed to bring Moldova closer to the work of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. The focus shifts from targeted interventions to a coherent approach based on well-defined objectives, predictability and responsible use of public funds. For farmers, this means a more stable framework that allows medium-term investment planning and creates a clear link between European commitments and on-the-ground reality.

MOLDPRES: What are the main achievements of the year 2025 in agriculture?

Ludmila Catlabuga: In 2025, we can highlight more specific results.

First of all, more accessible credits for farmers through the Agricultural Lending Facility. As of March, 2025, until now, approximately 250 agricultural businesses have accessed preferential credits at a rate of 5.1 per cent and the volume of recredited resources has exceeded 242 million lei.

Secondly, important progress in modernizing the centralized irrigation systems. The first modernization project through AGGRI for Tudora and Caplani, which covers about 2,500 hectares, was launched. The works are advanced, and over 90 million lei has already been used from a total budget of 157 million lei.

A third achievement is the international visibility of Moldova in the viticulture sector. Hosting the World Congress of the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) in Chișinău and the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles for sparkling wines put Moldova at the center of the international wine dialogue.

At the same time, we talk about investment continuity and technological modernization. Investments of approximately 7 billion lei in 2024 and 2025 reflect not only the volume of financing, but also their direction – farms’ modernization, advanced agricultural technology and solutions that increase productivity and adaptability capacity.

Last but not least, the completion of the screening process with the European Union in the field of agriculture and rural development. In September 2025, this exercise was completed, allowing a detailed assessment of the regulatory and institutional framework and clearly identifying the steps necessary for aligning agricultural policies with the community acquis.

Extended access to the EU market for Moldovan products

MOLDPRES: What is the situation regarding the access of Moldovan agricultural products to the European Union market?

Ludmila Catlabuga: The European Union has ruled to significantly increase tariff quotas for more Moldovan agricultural products, within the revision of commercial relations in the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). We are talking about a more than fourfold increase in the quota for plums, from 15,000 to 61,000 tons, a threefold increase for cherries, from 1,500 to 4,500 tons, doubling the table grape quota from 20,000 to 40,000 tons, and a 25-per cent increase for apples, from 40,000 to 50,000 tons.

Additionally, such products as tomatoes, garlic and grape juice benefit from unlimited access, without customs duties, opening up very important commercial opportunities for local producers.

Perspectives and plans for 2026

MOLDPRES: What are the main priorities of the ministry for the 2026 year?

Ludmila Catlabuga: In 2026, Law no. 126/2025 on the financing, management, and monitoring of agricultural policy comes into effect, aligning public support with the principles of the Common Agricultural Policy. Also, in 2026, we will finalize and launch the Agricultural Policy Strategic Programme 2026–2030, with clear interventions, eligibility conditions and performance indicators, including measures dedicated to young farmers, rural enterprises and agritourism.

Another major goal is preparing the framework for future European payments, by adopting the legal framework and launching the IACS, LPIS systems, and the Farmers Register, built gradually and in full compatibility with EU regulations.

MOLDPRES: What role will irrigation play in these plans?

Ludmila Catlabuga: Irrigation is one of the most sensitive and strategic components of agriculture. We are gradually advancing, focusing on modernizing existing systems and initiating new projects, with the support of international partners. Through the AGGRI project, works for Tudora and Caplani are at an advanced stage, while other systems like Tetcani, Corjeuti, and Beleavinti are in the acquisition stage.

For Etulia, the technical documentation is being finalized. We are also preparing projects with the support of the French Development Agency and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which could provide irrigation for over 9,000 hectares. Additionally, a feasibility study has been conducted for the Criulenii de Sus and Calinesti systems, which total over 3,000 hectares. The next step is negotiating the loan agreement, which will allow the actual start of rehabilitation works.

With the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, feasibility studies are being finalized for the rehabilitation of more important systems, including Gotesti and Polder III, Causeni, and Puhacenii de Sus, which together could provide irrigation for over 9,000 hectares.

MOLDPRES: What other strategic directions are targeted?

Ludmila Catlabuga: We focus on increasing added value in the country through investments in processing, storage, sorting, packaging and logistics, so that a larger part of the value remains in the local economy. We will continue promoting local products, including through clear labeling and dialogue with commercial networks.

At the same time, in 2026, we plan to initiate the process of institutionalizing autonomous agricultural chambers as independent structures representing farmers and consolidating the dialogue with public authorities.

MOLDPRES: A message for farmers?

Ludmila Catlabuga: European integration is not just a bureaucratic process, but a real modernization opportunity. The agriculture of Moldova must become more competitive, resilient and better connected to European markets. The ministry will remain an active partner of farmers in this journey.