The harvesting season has started in Moldova for table varieties of grapes and the authorities estimate that 70,000 of the expected 10,000 tonnes of harvest will be exported, Deputy Minister Gheorghe Gaberi told IPN.

The members of the Moldovan Association of Grape Growers and Exporters will export their table grapes in European packaging that is compliant with all the international standards. In a ceremony today, Prime Minister Iurie Leanca sealed the first containers with grapes for export. The first consignment, containing white Arkadia and red Codreanca grapes, is bound for Bucharest, Romania. The ceremony was held at a vineyard in Chisinau's suburban village of Budesti, where a hectare yields 10 tonnes of grapes.

According to the authorities, companies in Poland and Romania are now particularly interested in buying Moldovan table grapes.

The farmers say they are very pleased that they decided to invest in modern packaging. The containers in which the grapes will be exported are made of pressed cardboard and cellulose and are resistant to humidity, which will ensure that the grapes remain fresh. The cost of one such box is 10.5 lei.

The Moldovan Association of Grape Growers and Exporters currently has 150 members, 10 of which operate fairly large vineyards, with the rest operating vineyards of up to 5 hectares.