Moldova’s exports in 2017 rose by 18.6% or US$ 380.5 million against 2016. Of the total exports, 67.7% were national goods, while the rest were re-exported goods. Exports to the EU member states represented 65.9% of the total exports, while those to the Commonwealth of Independent States – 19.1%. Moldova also exported to Turkey (4.3%), Switzerland (1.8%), China (0.8%) and other states, IPN has learned from the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure.

Last year, the exports of fruit and vegetables had the biggest influence on the rise in exports. These exports increased by 46.1% compared with January – December 2016. The exports of machines and electrical appliances and parts for these grew by 37.1%, of medicinal and pharmaceutical products by 28.1%, of seeds and oleaginous oils by 19.5%, of grains and grain products by 15.2%, of beverages by 15.6%, of clothing and accessories by 14% etc.

The value of goods imported last year rose by 20.2% or US$ 811 million compared with 2016. The rise was due to the higher domestic demand fueled by the larger salaries, the higher remittances from abroad and the appreciation of the national currency. Imports from the EU constituted 49.4% of all the imports, while from the CIS – 25%. China accounted for 10.5% of the imports into Moldova, Turkey for 6.3%, while the United States for 1.5%.

The increase in imports stemmed from the 26.9% rise in the imports of oil, oil products and related products, the 20.4% growth in the imports of machines and electrical appliances and parts for these, the 24% increase in the imports of motor vehicles and the 18.8% rise in the imports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products.