How did the breakup of collective farms affect Moldovan agriculture?

Following Moldova's independence, the transition from a centrally planned economy to a market-based system involved the large-scale privatization of land and the dismantling of Soviet-era collective farms and state farms.12

While private land ownership began in 1990 and proliferated after a 1995 government program, the breakup of these large agricultural entities caused significant economic disruption. This shift resulted in decreased agricultural productivity and was accompanied by widespread claims of corruption. By the early 21st century, the agricultural landscape had shifted significantly, with individuals working on private farms outnumbering those on collective and state farms by a ratio of 10 to 1. Despite these structural changes, agriculture remains a vital sector, with farmers continuing to focus on export crops such as grapes, sunflower seeds, and tobacco.12