Even if the demand for seedless grapes is great on the domestic and European markets, such types are cultivated on very small areas in Moldova as some of these varieties that are brought from Italy, the U.S. or Middle Asia are not resistant to frost.

Dmitri Mihov, chief agronomist of a seedless grape growing company in Burlacu village of Cahul district, has told IPN that the seedless grapes account for only 5-7% of their area of vineyards.

The seedless varieties invented by the National Institute of Vine and Wine, even if they are more resistant to low temperatures and disease than the imported types, for now do not have the necessary aspect for being exported.

The producer said they cultivate seedless grapes only for gaining experience and these are primarily sold to buyers in Chisinau, Bălți and Cahul.

“In the world, the seedless varieties are by 30-50% more expensive than the traditional types. In Moldova, the price of seedless graoes is by only 10-20% higher than the ordinary grapes,” stated Dmitri Mihov.

He noted they exported seedless grapes to Romanian, Russia, Ukraine and Poland, but are making effort to enter also other markets. “Germany and Austria have stricter requirements as regards pesticide residues. The local grape producers will have to comply with these requirements if they want to enter new markets,” said the agronomist.

Dmitri Mihov also said that the heavy rain and hail of this year had an impact on the exterior of the grapes and some of the early varieties could not be exported.