Amidst a challenging summer with heatwaves and unpredictable rainfall, Moldova's agricultural sector, a key source of income, is undergoing a significant transformation. The European Union is witnessing an increase in fruit imports from Moldova as the country diversifies its export destinations away from Russia. The Moldovan Fruit Association highlighted a notable surge in sweet cherry exports to the EU, reaching 2,600 tonnes, a 12.5-fold increase from the previous year, marking a significant entry for Moldovan cherries into the European market.
In recent years, the geopolitical landscape has influenced Moldova's export strategies. Historically, Russia served as the primary market for Moldovan fruits, including apricots, cherries, peaches, and plums. However, export percentages to Russia dropped from nearly 70% in 2018 to about 18% by 2023. The decline in exports to Russia, accelerated by Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, prompted Moldova to pivot towards the EU and other regions. The shift was further necessitated by Russian embargoes and pressure tactics, which aimed to influence Moldova's political orientations but did not extend to Moldova's pro-Russian breakaway region, Transnistria.
This redirection of fruit exports has positioned Moldova as a leading plum supplier to the European Union. In 2023, Moldova's plum exports to the EU experienced a 2.6-fold increase from the previous year, totalling 60,443 tonnes and surpassing traditional suppliers like Spain, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Italy. This growth in exports underscores Moldova's evolving role in the global fruit market and its adaptation to changing geopolitical and environmental conditions.
Source: emerging-europe.com