Moldova’s government will not provide support to the baking industry, even though bread prices rose by 6.1% between January and October. Around the same time, police reported that a company in the sector was paying employees partly in cash, off the books.
The minister was asked about the issue at a press conference. A major bakery producer had announced a price increase, citing high energy and logistics costs. Other companies in the sector are reportedly considering similar moves. A journalist asked what support measures the government was preparing, given that bread is a socially important staple.
Osmochescu replied that he did not know which company was involved. He then provided some figures: between January and October 2026, bread prices increased by 6.1%. Grain accounts for 30% of the price, he said, while the rest consists of other costs, “particularly energy”.
“I don’t know who announced the price increase, but at the moment we are not discussing any measures on our part to support the baking industry,” the minister said.
He then repeated the figures and once again said he did not know which company had announced the increase.
“I don’t know who we are talking about, but I can tell you that during 2026, from January to October 2026, the price of bread increased by 6.1%. Grain accounts for 30% of the price. The rest consists of other costs, particularly energy,” Osmochescu said.
“But to answer your question: I don’t know who said this, I don’t know who announced it. Well, I don’t know. I really don’t know, I really don’t. But at this point, we are not discussing any measures on our part to support individual bread producers.”
The minister said “I don’t know” several times. The journalist had not asked about support for consumers, and Osmochescu did not address that issue. The question concerned businesses in the sector, and the answer was clear: no support is planned.
Police raids and off-the-books wages
A police statement followed shortly afterwards. A company in the baking industry is suspected of tax evasion and money laundering.
“According to the case file, between 2023 and 2025, company representatives introduced a system of paying wages ‘in envelopes’, concealing part of the actual payroll and consequently understating their tax liabilities to the state. The estimated amount of remuneration paid but not declared to the authorities is approximately 91.7 million lei,” the police said.
Quite an attempt to justify refusing support to producers of socially important goods.
During searches, officers seized accounting records, mobile phones, electronic storage devices, data from the company’s accounting software and envelopes containing cash. Investigators believe the money was intended to pay undeclared wages.
Two people have been detained: the company’s administrator and another individual responsible for managing its finances. If convicted, they face up to 10 years in prison, criminal fines and a ban on holding certain positions. The company itself could face financial penalties, potentially including liquidation.
The investigation is ongoing. Prosecutors are working to identify everyone involved and establish the exact amount of damage caused.
The police statement does not name the company. Nor does it establish any connection between the case and bakery producers’ announcements of price increases. Neither the ministry nor the police has explained the timing of the two developments.
