According to Iurie Fala, CEO of Moldova Fruct, the country’s fruit growers and exporters association Moldova is exporting fewer of its apples to the CIS region than it did a couple of years ago: “Moldova has a continuous trend of diversifying the apple export market, with a decreasing share of exports going to CIS countries, while other markets are growing. In the first three months of 2023, 84 percent of the more than 95,000 tons of Moldovan apples exported went to CIS countries, down from 92 percent in the same period last year and 99 percent in 2020.”
When looking at the other markets that could be interesting for Moldovan apples, Fala feels the Middle East is a solid contender. “The main alternative markets that Moldova is targeting are the Middle East and the European Union. More than 5,400 tons of apples from the 2022 harvest were exported to countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman, twice as many as the 2,700 tons in the same period last year. Moldova exported 7,000 tons of apples to the EU market, with Romania emerging as a key importer of Moldovan apples. And the first shipments of apples were delivered to Sweden in March.”
Fala explains that the fruit producers in Moldova are much better are adapting to the market nowadays: “Moldova is gradually diversifying its apple export market. Our fruit producers and exporters are able to adapt to market demands in terms of requested varieties, packaging, and transportation routes. Appropriate packaging ensures the high quality of fruit during transportation, including maritime deliveries. The range of packaging offered includes cardboard boxes weighing 9-13 kilograms and cargo bushels weighing 18 kilograms.”
“Due to our well-developed production infrastructure with advanced storage facilities, Moldova can offer apples all year long. The fruits correspond to international marketing and food safety regulations as more and more producers implement international quality standards like Global Good Agricultural Practices (GLOABALG.A.P.), GLOBALG.A.P. Risk Assessment on Social Practice (GRASP), and Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA).”
“Moldovan fruit growers will be exhibiting during the upcoming Freskon and Macfrut trade fairs. Meet them there, or online via www.moldovafruct.md/en/map,” Fala concludes.
For more information:
Iurie Fala (CEO)
Molodova Fruct
MD 2012 Chisinau (Moldova)
Tel: +373 222 23 005
Mob: +373 693 66 424
www.moldovafruct.md