The exports of Moldovan fresh and canned fruit to Russia could be resumed in a month, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov said in the program “Fabrika” on Publika TV channel, IPN reports.

After visiting recently Russia, where he had discussions on the issue with officials there, Vasile Bumacov stated that an expert of the specialized Russian authority will come to Moldova to assess the quality of the fruit and vegetables. “He will inspect our orchards to see how the fruit was grown, what it was sprayed with and how it is kept. Anyway, we were the most exemplary and committed the lowest number of violations in the period before the imposition of the bans,” he said.

The minister also said that after this inspection visit, Russia may decide to lift the ban. He voiced hope that the Russian consumers will offer their support as they know the quality of the Moldovan products.

Vasile Bumacov noted that if the exports are resumed, they will have a new format. “Products of a poor quality and that will be inappropriately packed will not be accepted. We will stop exporting to wild markets and will reorient our exports to civilized markets, including the supermarket chain of Russia,” he stated.

The minister said there is a great demand for Moldovan apples on the European market, but it cannot be satisfied owing to the inappropriate packing.

Vasile Bumacov denied fruit producers’ accusations that the country didn’t take steps to prepare for the Russian bans. “Two years ago, we warned the producers that we may lose access to the Russian market and urged them to identify other export markets. The Europeans paid for our stands at different exhibitions in the largest European towns, but our producers didn’t take part. They mobilized only when the ban was imposed. The ban imposed by Russia has also positive sides. Our producers mobilized and stared to work in a different way so as to be able to enter the European market,” he stated.