In a warehouse north of Chisinau, Moldova, Stefan Bitlan, a prominent plum exporter, is preparing his shipment for Germany, opting for the European Union market over Russia. Moldova, positioned between Ukraine and Romania, is on the cusp of a referendum for EU membership, advocated by President Maia Sandu, who is also up for re-election. The country, historically reliant on Russia for its fruit exports, has pivoted towards the EU, with plums becoming a symbol of this strategic shift. Following the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow, Moldova, under Sandu's leadership, severed ties with Russia and pursued EU membership as a strategic necessity for its economic survival.
Moldova has seen a significant increase in plum exports to the EU, with 60,000 tons out of a record 150,000 tons produced in 2023 being imported by the bloc. This shift has not only diversified Moldova's export destinations but also bolstered its agricultural sector's revenue, with plum sales to the EU bringing in 35 million euros last year. Bitlan, who manages over 10 percent of these exports, credits his success to the stringent quality standards required by the EU market, which, despite being challenging, have resulted in a tenfold increase in sales revenue over the last five years.
The broader economic landscape in Moldova reflects a growing orientation towards the EU, with nearly two-thirds of its exports now heading to the bloc, doubling in value over the past decade. The shift away from the Russian market is stark, with exports to Russia plummeting to 3.6 percent from over 60 percent in the late 1990s. This reorientation has garnered support from the business community, with three-quarters favoring EU integration. Despite opposition from pro-Russian factions, the consensus among Moldovan fruit exporters like Iurie Fala, of Moldova Fruct, is that EU integration promises prosperity and stability, aspiring to transform Moldova into the EU's orchard.
Source: RTL Today