The ban on the import of Moldovan fruit into Russia is a political decision and the Moldovan producers should better find new export markets. The issue was discussed in the program “Fabrica” on Publika TV channel, IPN reports.

Russia’s phytosanitary service Rosselhoznadzor argued that the Oriental moth was detected in the Moldovan apricots. The director of the National Food Safety Agency Ion Sula said the Oriental fruit moth is not a quarantine object in Moldova and the labs in Chisinau didn’t confirm the existence of the moth in the consignment of apricots. However, in order to avoid such situations in the future, the producers must make sure that the fruit is of a high quality, while the National Food Safety Agency must intensify inspections in this respect.

Iurie Fala, executive director of the Association of Fruit Producers and Exporters of Moldova, said the producers have expected such a ban. “We will try to export to Romania or the Baltic countries, which still remember us. We cannot say that other countries are waiting for us with their arms open. Our goods must be promoted,” he stated.

Economic expert Vitalie Rapcea said the ban imposed by Russia on the import of Moldovan fruit represents the materialization of previous statements. He accused the Moldovan authorities of not preparing for such a situation.

Economic expert Viorel Chivriga said that Rosselhoznadzor is the Kremlin’s political cudgel. “In these bodies there are no dilettantes. They know well where we are vulnerable and can anytime blackmail us owing to this vulnerability. The Moldovan producers must yet work on the quality and packing of products so as to exclude the vulnerability,” he stated.

Russia’s ban on the import of Moldovan fruit will take effect on July 21.