Though many of the export quotas to the EU stipulated in the Association Agreement haven’t been used, the Moldovan farmers and exporters exceeded the quotas set on wheat, barley, flour and grain derivatives. As a result of the approaches made by the authorities to the European institutions ,it was agreed that the Moldovan producers will be allowed to continue to export to the EU without paying import duties, said Sergiu Tirigan, division head at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, IPN reports.
In the program “Dialog” on Agro TV Moldova channel, the official sated that the export quotas on barley weren’t fully used, as the quotas on wheat weren’t often. But in 2014 and 2015, the national producers and exporters redirected the grains to the EU market, especially when the prices of grains decreased and they got a higher price there.
Sergiu Tirigan noted that the exports of table grapes from Moldova are expected to increase significantly during the next few years. As to the possibility of reviewing the export quotas to the EU, he said that discussions with the European institutions should be opened now so as to be able to export higher quantities of grapes at least in 2017 as there are many vineyards that yield in turn and export markets should be identified.
The Moldovan producers can export wine, bee honey, walnut kernel, powdered eggs and caviar in unlimited amounts to the EU. The authorities are now holding talks with the EU for being allowed to export hen eggs and poultry.
