Food prices up in Romania due to bad weather and bad policies, producers warn

Romania's agricultural producers have warned that food price would go up in the coming period due to bad weather, on one hand, and due to the lack of support policies from the country's Agricultural Minister, on the other. This year's rye crop will be almost 23 percent lower than last year's, while the production of rape will stay 22 percent below that of last year. The fruits and vegetables crops will be delayed and the production will be lower this year compared to last year, according to the National Federation of Agricultural Producers in Romania. The weather forecast points to high temperatures in June and July, after the heavy rain during the spring. Given that the country's irrigation system is not functional, this year's crops are in danger in Romania. “The Agriculture Minister has said the country would not enter a food crisis because it has potential, but this potential has to be used through coherent policies, which are totally missing in Romania,” said Viorel Matei, president of the Federation. The Federation represents 67 percent of the agricultural segment in Romania, according to its data. editor@romania-insider.com