Moldova’s exported table grapes are competitive only on low-price market segments

Despite positive trends in the winemaking industry, the table grapes sector remains noncompetitive, it was said at the Table Grapes Sector Forum 2009 organized by the Association of Table Grape Producers and Exporters with the support of the Consolidated Unit for the Implementation of IFAD Programs in Moldova on November 20, Info-Prim Neo reports. The causes for such a situation include the low productivity of the table grapes and the excessive fragmentation of the vineyards. Besides, Moldova cultivates only 3-4 types of table grapes of the 73 sorts allowed for cultivation. More than a half of the areas had been planted with the sort “Moldova”. “This is a good sort, but it is in demand mainly in Russia, where the prices are lower compared with the European markets. But we want to enter new, more profitable markets,” said Tudor Ciobanu, the president of the Association of Table Grape Producers and Exporters. The Association proposed a strategy for developing the table grapes sector for 2010- 2020. It is aimed at satisfying mainly consumers’ demands and envisions the considerable improvement of the cultivation technology, the extension of the irrigated areas and implementation of modern fertilization and protection systems. Investments of 2.2 billion lei will be needed during 2010- 2020 to transform the sector into an advanced one. It is planned that about 1,000 hectares will be planted with table grapes every year. The table grape vineyards constitute about 15% of the total vineyards in Moldova. Their area increased two times during the last four years. Table grape exports rose from 8,000 in 2006 to 20,000 tonnes in 2008.