Cucumbers will arrive later than usual in Moldovan markets this year due to a delay in the first harvest caused by recent low temperatures, despite their cultivation in greenhouses. Farmers anticipate a smaller yield than expected due to insufficient sunlight and warmth.
The first Moldovan cucumbers, grown without heating systems, are expected to be ready for harvest within the next 10 days. Vegetable growers note that the recent cold weather has hindered proper pollination, leading to expectations of a reduced harvest.
Pavel Terentiev, who owns over ten hectares of greenhouses in the Dubossary district, cultivates Rodnichok cucumbers. He is the first farmer to sell Moldovan cucumbers grown in unheated greenhouses.
Terentiev explained that these greenhouses rely solely on solar heating, with their large size designed to retain warm air throughout the day, allowing for earlier market entry. However, the cultivation of this type of cucumber requires pollination, making it more challenging, especially given their high warmth and sunlight requirements.
This year, the farmer plans to sell the first cucumbers later than usual due to recent low temperatures. To address this, he intends to take a loan to invest in a modern heating system for the greenhouses.
The anticipated price range for the first Moldovan cucumbers hitting the market this year is between 6.2 and 7.75 euros per kilogram.
Source: agroexpert.md