Despite serious fears of market participants for fresh apple price collapse after russian embargo on all produce imports from Moldova and the more recent blockage of the Red See, which is the main route for apple exports to the Middle East and Asia, the worse case scenario did not materialize, IPN reports, with reference to EastFruit.com.

Moreover, prices for high quality apples in Moldova even increased, reflecting a robust demand. Prices for apples of the main export varieties such as Gala and its clones, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Golden in the second half of December 2023 rose by 10-13%. The highest growth was noted for apples of the highest quality. Consequently, average wholesale price for apples in Moldova are presently the highest for the recent three years and are 5-7% higher than usually.

Gradual increase in the prices of high-quality apples was mostly caused by more intense shipments of apples to Romania. By the end of December 2023, exports will probably be significantly higher than the modest autumn trade volumes but probably still a bit lower than exports in the previous two seasons during the same period.

In Decembers of 2022 and 2021 Moldova exported from 10 to 21 thousand tons of fresh apples. We estimate that by the end of December 2023 exports of Moldovan apples will be close to the lower level of the specified range. Nonetheless, export prices would be higher than before and revenues will remain close to 2021-2022 thanks to improved quality of apples exported from Moldova.

Consequently, once more Russia’s attempt to hurt Moldova’s fresh produce business has failed. Moreover, similarly to Ukraine’s example, it will most likely result in improved efficiency of production, improve quality of apples grown and higher export revenues.