The producers will easier face the ban on imports of Moldovan wine and brandy imposed by Russia, but this ban can lead to a reduction in the price of technical sorts of grapes, president of the National Federation of Employers in Agriculture and the Food Industry Alexandru Slusari stated for IPN.

“In 2006, more than 70% of the Moldovan wines went to Russia. Now we export only 28% of the wine and 22% of the brandy. In the period, a large part of the winemakers managed to diversify the markets. The impact will not be as destructive,” said the leader of the employers from agriculture.

Alexandru Slusari stated that the political component of this decision is evident, especially because the head of Russia’s food safety body Rospotrebnadzor Gennady Onishchenko earlier praised publicly the Moldovan wines.

Ion Luca, chairman of the Association of Small Wine Producers of Moldova, considers that this decision was not determined by the quality of wines. “The winemakers adjusted themselves. We will work and will find other markets. There are winemakers in Moldova that export mainly to Russia, but there is no risk of bankruptcy. An important lesson was given in 2006 and the winemakers diversified the markets where they sell products,” he said.

Russia imposed an embargo on Moldovan wines, arguing they are of a poor quality.