The main problem for grape growers is the market which is affected by the war in Ukraine and a new Russian embargo, Gheorghe Gaberi, president of the Moldovan Association of Grape Growers and Exporters (APESM), said in an interview with the FRE/RL Moldovan Service.

For the first time, the export ban imposed in early August by the Russian agency Rosselhoznadzor targets grapes too. In these circumstances, Gaberi says the decision of the European Union to increase export quotas for Moldovan table grapes is welcome, as it could assimilate about half of the fruit estimated for export.

Last year, producers were able to export grapes to new markets, such as Persian Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, but also to the American market. They crossed a “psychological barrier”, starting to deliver production in containers by sea, and now the main goal is to ensure high quality of the goods.

Authorities say prices for technical varieties, which are sold only locally for processing, will remain at the level of 2021, around 6-8 lei per kilogram. “Of course, high-quality European varieties will be popular. As for cross cultivars, such as Isabella, it remains to be seen, because there is a problem with their export to the European Union”, Liliana Dascaliuc, department head at the Ministry of Agriculture, told RFE/RL.

The wine sector accounts for 7% of Moldova’s exports, and wine is one of the most famous Moldovan goods. In the first six months of this year, the Republic of Moldova exported goods worth 2.29 billion dollars. Over 61% went to EU countries, with Romania being the main export destination for Moldovan goods.