Moldovans drink over 250 million bottles of beer and 30 million bottles of vodka every year. Although Moldova is a wine-making country, the consumption of wine is below 30 million bottles per year. The data was presented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov in a press conference, Info-Prim Neo reports. “These data don’t show us as being a wine-making country. We must assert ourselves as a civilized people that drink with moderation this product, which is considered in the European Union to have the least impact on health compared to other drinks”, said the Minister. Vasile Bumacov said that the government had approved a draft law that included beer and beer-based drinks in the category of alcoholic beverages. A series of inspections proved that what is being imported is more of a mix of alcohol, colorants and flavors. “We must promote the wine sector as a traditional sector, as a strategic product destined for both export and the domestic market”, he explained. Vasile Bumacov said that the government’s measures weren’t meant to limit beer producers and the authorities were actually willing to support those who grow barley and hops and make quality products. According to the official, Moldovan consumers send abroad 635 million lei through beer and vodka imports.