, and often in need of application of organic and mineral fertilizers.
Brown forest soils are found only in Codri and occupy the highest and the wet area with altitudes over 300 m and are formed mainly under the influence of long-term impact of beech forests. Brown forest soils are suitable for the cultivation of fruit crops, legumes and aromatic tobacco.
Floodplain grassland (alluvial) soils are widespread in the floodplains. They are characterized by relatively high content of humus and a variety of texture. Some of these soil salinization and waterlogging, and therefore need to remove salts and falling groundwater levels. These soils are favorable for the cultivation of vegetables, fodder and fruit crops.
Moldova is an agrarian country. Agriculture provides more than two fifths of the national income. Grains (wheat, corn), sunflowers, sugar beets (which provides raw material for numerous sugar refineries), grapes, fruits, nuts and vegetables are cultivated in Moldova. Its orchards produce large crops of plums, apricots, cherries and peaches. Growing fruit is concentrated in the north, in the central regions and in the valley of the Dniester. An important commercial crop is tobacco. Cattle, sheep (including astrakhan), pigs and birds.Pond fisheries, bee-keeping are developing as well. Wine-making is one of the most important branches of agriculture (red and white dry wines, champagne, table wines, sherry, and brandy).
Main exports: wine, brandy, tobacco, fruits, vegetables, meat, textiles, leather. Major exporters: Russia, Italy, Germany, Ukraine, Romania.
Current situation and further perspectives of agricultural development of Transnistria
Transnistria is an industrial and agricultural republic where manufacturing is playing a key role in the formation of macro-economic indicators anyhow development of agriculture is also very important.
It is located in the southwestern part of the CIS. It shares borders with Moldova and Ukraine. Natural resource potential of the republic is represented by natural building materials, underground mineral waters, highly productive chernozem which takes more than 90% of the territory. The climate is temperate continental, taking into account the rainfall, the region is in the zone of insufficient humidity. Winter is short and mild (average January temperature is minus 3.9 ° C). The spring is early with intensive heating of the soil and the air. Long hot summers (average July temperature is +21 ° C).
A warm lingering autumn.
Frost-free period is 176 days, which makes growing of heat-loving crops such as tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, tobacco, melons, and fruits possible and the landscape favors the development of viticulture.
Major manufacturing centers: Tiraspol, Bender, Rybnitsa. Many types of products made in Transnistria are certified, fixing their compliance with international standards of quality. Agricultural sector combines agriculture, processing of agricultural raw materials, specialized infrastructure: transportation, storage, wholesale, retail, etc.
In agriculture remains a collective system of cultivation (collective and state farms). Main industries - grain, fruits and vegetables, wine-making. Generally agriculture can provide republic with all necessary food and to keep republic's independence from external supplies of key products. Agricultural lands occupy 272,756 hectares:
a) arable land - 227,576 hectares;
b) perennial plants - 21,393 ha, including:
- Gardens - 14,343 hectares;
- Vineyards - 6003 ha;
c) pastures - 23,660 hectares;
g) hay - 127 hectares.