Exports of goods in 2019 came to US$ 2.8 billion, up 2.7% on 2018. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, exports of national goods that represented 71.9% of the total exports were US$ 2 billion, an increase of 7.9% on 2018, IPN reports.

The exports of goods intended for EU member states last year totaled US$1.8 billion, 1.7% down on 2018. These represented 65.9% of the total exports, as opposed to 68.8% in 2018. The CIS countries accounted for 15.6% of Moldova’s exports, as against 15.4% in 2018, adding up to US$435 million. The re-exports of foreign goods came to US$ 781.5 million, which is about 28.1% of the total exports or by 8.5% less than in 2018.

The exports of electrical devices and machines, fruit and vegetables, medicinal products, seeds and oleaginous fruit, grains, feedstuff for animals, fats, vegetal oils, furniture increased in 2019, compared with 2018, while exports of clothing, textiles, sugar, honey, dairy products and eggs, footwear, coffee tea, cacao decreased.

The analysis of exports by countries in 2019, as opposed to 2018, shows the exports to Turkey, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, Spain, Hungary and Israel rose, but to Italy, the UK, Romania, France, Serbia, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia declined.

Contacted by IPN, economist Viorel Chivriga said the reported growth is very small. The rise in exports to Turkey and the decline in exports to Romania in 2019 are among the most noticeable developments. The refusal to extend the list of companies that can export fruit and vegetables to the Russian market will not contribute to an eventual rise in the future. The companies have to work to restore confidence before the Russian partner.

According to the economist, the demand on the market is currently not so great. The economies of the Western countries and not only are in a more difficult situation than the previous years. There is no solid, visible economic growth and the consumers show preference for known products. On the other hand, Moldova’s economy reached a particular line and the rise in exports during the next few years will not be visible. Performance, investment, transfer of experience and greater financing for the national economy are needed to achieve more.