From the beginning of the year and until August 1, Moldova exported 108,700 tonnes of vegetable and derived products, compared to only 59,700 tonnes in the same period last year. The figures were presented at a press conference on Monday by the general director of the Agency for Food Safety (ANSA) Gheorghe Gaberi, IPN reports.
“Previously, apples topped the charts, followed by plums, and that was pretty much it. But in recent years, farmers have planted new orchards with apricots, cherries, sour cherries. For examples, apricot exports increased from 395 tonnes last year to 6944 tonnes this year. Cherries didn’t fare as well in 2016. Apple exports increased from 52,000 to 87,000 tonnes”, announced the ANSA director.
Gheorghe Gaberi added that peach exports rose from 0 last year to 2800 tonnes in the first half of 2016. Berry and sour cherry exports also increased. Table grapes are especially popular – exports more than doubled from 4836 tonnes to 11,500 tonnes.
According to the official, the exports are diversifying and premiere this year was the export of 173 tonnes of horseradish roots.
On August 25, in Stauceni, exporters will have a national meeting to discuss current problems, especially the Russian market. Recently, Russia published a list of 43 companies that are allowed to export vegetable products to its market.
The ANSA director says that previously such lists were decided in Moldova and only confirmed in Russia. Now, Moscow made the list by itself and has two requirements: products must be grown in Moldova (no re-exports allowed) and to be safe, in accordance with the established sanitary norms.
Overall, Gheoghe Gaberi concluded that this year the situation is better for farmers than in 2015 and exports of vegetable products, especially fruits, might grow further.
