Moldova is expected to produce about 600,000 tonnes of apples this year, similar to what was harvested în 2019 and by 25% more than the 2020 crop, estimates the Association of Fruit Producers and Exporters “Moldova Fruct”.

Moldova Fruct executive director Iurie Fală has told IPN that the richer yield is expected despite unseasonably low temperatures and ample precipitation during the bloom period. “Rains made treatments more difficult. But overall the size of apples will be within the normal range, and the difference in daytime and nighttime temperatures will give apples a good coloring, especially for the red varieties”, said Fală.

But estimating apple exports would be tricky. “Certainly, (exports) will be influenced by the increase in the supply of apples on the Russian market from local producers and important ones from countries such as Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan and others. What is certain is that Moldovan apple producers and exporters should pay more attention to their sales plans, actively seek alternative export markets and work to increase local consumption of fresh apples,” said Iurie Fală.

Almost half of this year’s apple crop will be delivered to processing companies.

Apple orchards in the country cover about 56,000 hectares, and the areas of intensive orchards that deliver uniform and high-quality fruits are constantly growing. Moldova Fruct members produce more than 20 varieties of apples, mainly Florina, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith and Reinette Simirenko.