[1] The region, as the rest of Moldova, is traditionally an agricultural area, favored by several factors, such as the chernozem (black earth).
The untouched natural richness of the northern Moldavian region became known as Bălți steppe only in the beginning of the last century.
Before 1940 the term used to mean Jijia Plain plus Middle Prut Valley plus Bălți steppe, because the three regions have an identical relief and natural vegetation.
A traditional horse breeding area, in the last century the Bălți steppe has specialized in livestock (cows, sheep), and poultry.
Two varieties of winter barley "Auriu" and "Sokor", produced by the Bălți Research Institute "Selecția", specialized in field crops.