The exports of all categories of fruit last year increased substantially to all the markets - the European Union, Russia and the whole Commonwealth of Independent States. The quantity of exported apples rose, with over 90% of these exports going to Russia. Exports to the EU were also larger than earlier. For example, the exports of table grapes amounted to 80,000, as opposed to the previous period, when this figure stood at under 60,000. The exports of processed fruit and walnuts and walnut kernel also grew, director general of the National Food Safety Agency (NFSA) Gheorghe Gaberi stated in an interview for Radio Free Europe, being quoted by IPN.
The director said about 4,000 tonnes of apples for processing and over 2,000 tonnes of apples for being consumed fresh were exported to the EU. Moldova’s exports of plums to the EU came to 20,000 tonnes. Grape exports also rose. “We used the provided quota and exported another 10,000 tonnes more, with customs duties, to the European Union. The geography of exports changed and we even have a growth. The exports of table grapes rose to 80,000,” stated Gheorghe Gaberi.
The largest quantity of apples, over 90%, was exported to the Russian Federation, the demand being higher there. As to the fact that some of the apples were taken by some companies from other companies that cannot export, the director noted that these are companies specialized in exports and they have good friends there. Not all the producers will be able to export to Russia in the future as this demands that the apples should be now washed, calibrated, packed, etc.
In another development, Gheorghe Gaberi said the Moldovan authorities are making effort to penetrate new markets, such as India for example. In this country, there are operators that informed “Moldova Fruct” about their interest and are ready to import 300,000 tonnes and even more.
As to the scandal concerning dairy products that contain too much vegetal fat, the director said the NFSA teams confiscated the goods that didn’t conform to the norms. A part of the lab results were confirmed. A meeting with representatives of all the 29 milk processing companies will be convened at the start of next week to discuss the situation. There will be imposed strict conditions.
