MADR's Botanoiu: We have signed agreement to deliver agri-food products to Arab countries

Romania has signed an agreement for the delivery of agri-food products to Arab countries that provides for the setup of a collection centre in Constanta and another one in Doha or Abu Dhabi, State Secretary with Romania's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) Daniel Botanoiu told a national vegetable farming conference on Friday.

Photo credit: (c) SIMION MECHNO / AGERPRES ARCHIVE

'At the level of the ministry, we are currently trying to open external markets. We have already signed an agreement for the delivery of agri-food products to Arab countries that have demanded vegetables, cereals and animals. They import very many products from Australia and New Zealand although in terms of prices it would be more advantageous to them if they imported the goods from the Constanta Port. The agreement provides for the establishment of a collection centre in Constanta and another one in Doha or Abu Dhabi, but we must get supply continuity. At the same time, we have to secure homogenous quantity and quality of deliveries. Let us not forget about labelling, which is very important and which we have to start applying this June,' said Botanoiu.

In his opinion, the fruit and vegetable sector needs sustained funding because it was not properly supported upon Romania's accession to the European Union.

'The fruit and vegetable sector has not been properly supported since Romania's accession to the European Union. Consequently, the sector needs sustained funding. We have to turn our face to producers instead of those who take from one place and trade in another. The producers in their turn have to teach consumers to seek them instead of seeking intermediaries,' said Botanoiu.

In another line of thought, he announced having discussed...