European Commissioner for Agriculture reaffirms EU strong support for Moldova's agricultural sector

European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen reaffirmed the European Union's commitment to support the modernization of the agricultural sector in the Republic of Moldova and its European integration path. The statement was made today during a press conference held in Chișinău, alongside Ina Butucel, Deputy Secretary General at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA).

The European official noted the significant progress made by our country and emphasized the opportunities and challenges faced by Moldovan farmers, which can be overcome in the context of closer ties with the European single market.


“The European Union is here to support you and we look forward to welcoming you to the large European community and, of course, the community of farmers. Moldova's progress on the path to accession is very good. Our mission is to advance this process as quickly as possible without compromising the quality of reforms. Food security is more important than ever, and to ensure it, we need a strong and productive agricultural sector,” said Christophe Hansen.


The European official highlighted the already visible economic benefits of rapprochement with the EU, noting that since the signing of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) agreement in 2014, trade in agricultural goods has increased by over 150%, and the share of Moldovan exports to the European market reached 65% in 2024.

 Ina Butucel reiterated the government's strong commitment to continue necessary reforms for full integration into the community space. The Ministry of Agriculture representative highlighted efforts made to transpose the community acquis, digitalize agriculture, and create transparent support mechanisms for farmers.


“The European path of the Republic of Moldova is not just a political option but an investment in our future. The government is making tremendous efforts to align strategic sectors with EU standards. We rely on the constant support of our European partners, who provide us with not only investments but also access to expertise, technologies, and the largest market in the world. These transformations will bring new opportunities for our producers and contribute to developing a competitive and resilient agricultural sector,” highlighted Ina Butucel.


The parties emphasized the importance of strategic long-term investments, such as the modernization of irrigation systems, as a sustainable solution to climate challenges.

Commissioner Hansen encouraged Moldovan farmers to associate to strengthen their market position and access export opportunities more easily.

Hansen's visit is taking place at a strategic moment for the Republic of Moldova, aiming to directly assess the realities of the agricultural sector and strengthen dialogue with local authorities and producers. The official agenda included high-level meetings with the country's leadership and a discussion session with representatives of farmers' associations, where topics such as alignment with EU standards, water resource management, and access to financing were addressed.