Moldova: agriculture workers lauded as data reveals lowest pay
Moldovan farmers are the ones who make us proud of our produce both at home and across the world.
Even if their work isn't always visible, its impact is felt in every household in the Republic of Moldova. These were the statements made by Chișinău authorities on the occasion of the National Day of Agricultural and Processing Industry Workers, marked on Sunday, November 23.
“You are the ones who start the day before everyone else and finish it after everyone else. And even if your work isn’t always visible, it is felt in every home in Moldova. Looking to the future, we know clearly what needs to be done: more irrigation, more processing in villages, fair policies, support for young people, for women, for small and large farms, equal rules, stable markets, and less bureaucracy. May you have health, abundance, and the strength to move forward, and may we, as a state, always be close to both your joys and your worries,” stated the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Ludmila Catlabuga.
The National Day of Agricultural and Processing Industry Workers is celebrated annually in the country on the fourth Sunday of November.
However, despite the celebratory tone, official data paints a challenging picture. According to official data, the average salary in agriculture—the sector with the highest rate of informal labor—was only 9,244 lei in the first quarter of 2025, the lowest in the economy.
Experts suggest that wages in the agricultural sector are lower due to its seasonal nature, a lack of investment, and the high level of undeclared work.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
