Agriculture Minister Valeriu Tabara has recently announced the wheat crop amounts to 7.2 million tons, up 26% from the 2010 level. Thus, 2011 has the best wheat output in the past five years.
However, farmers say the price offered by bulk buyers during this period is not enough to cover production costs.
The average price on the domestic market, RON700/ton, is 20% higher than last year’s and almost 50% above the price two years ago, according to Agriculture Ministry data.
However, bulk buyers say their best offer stands at RON650/ton. On the other hand, small producers say this price does not cover their costs and that they prefer storing wheat until autumn, when they hope to sell it for over RON900/ton.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu; Editing by Radu Bostan)