June 28, 2004

Moldova's Poultry Market Suffering From Overstocking
 

The Moldovan poultry sub-sector is facing acute problems due to overstocking in the local market. According to preliminary estimates, the farmers will produce nearly 10 thousand tons of poultry meat this year - 6.6 thousand tons more than in 2003. Meat importers are certainly not going to curtail their businesses upon hearing this news.

Mr. Sergei Shevchook, Deputy Director of the Avicola state poultry concern, says that Moldova annually imports more than 20 thousand tons of poultry meat, mostly chicken thighs, "which nobody in Western countries wants to buy". Western chicken thighs are sold locally for 16-19 lei a kilo, and importers earn approximately 35 percent of profit. Moldova-made chicken meat is sold for 21-22 lei a kilo on the same market, the official emphasized.

"A kilogram of chicken meat costs 19 to 21 lei to produce in this republic, on the average, so the profit is really minimal, as you can see. However, Moldovan chicken meat is more popular among buyers notwithstanding its higher price, because our meat is tastier and richer in vitamins, and this permits us to survive in the competition", said the specialist.

To offer a stiffer competition to foreign-made produce, import duties will soon be doubled to reach 30%. Moreover, the Moldovan Government is going to slap an annual quota on meat imports, Mr. Shevchook said.

"We are planning to annually increase meat production, and by the year 2010 this republic should not need imports", stated the Avicola Deputy Director.