Wine companies reduced output of bottled wine in 2006

Moldova's wine companies produced about 8.96 mln dekalitres of bottled wine in 2006, a 63% decrease compared with the indexes of 2005, data provided by the Agro-industrial Agency “Moldova-Vin” show. The production of sparkling wines has reduced by 56%, constituting 7 million bottles. The production of cognac like beverages (divins) amounted to about 570 thousand dekalitres (-35% compared with 2005). The production of vodka, brandy and other strong drinks dropped 28% and constituted about 1.67 million dekalitres, production of ethylic alcohol – by 30% (994 thousand dekalitres). The reduction in wine output is due to the embargo imposed by Russia on Moldovan wines in March 2006. According to 2005 statistics, out of the total amount of exports valued at USD 315 mln, 75-80% was exported to Russia. Until the embargo, the annual wine production of industrial wines constituted about 20-25 million dekalitres. Moldova is the only country in the world that exports 95% of the total industrial production of wines.