Moldovan 2007 grape output up by 110,000 t

Moldovan grape production in 2007 exceeded by 110,000 metric tons the amount harvested last year – 460,000 tons. On average, a hectare yielded 4 tons, as compared to 3.2 tons last year, says Valeriu Mironescu, director of the state-run Moldova Wine Agency. According to preliminary data, total grape production this year beat forecasts by 70,000 tons, amounting to 570,000 tons. About 410,000 tons were harvested from large vineyards, while households contributed 160,000 tons. Valeriu Mironescu added table grape output beat forecasts by 20,000 tons and reached 80,000 tons, with 20 thousand tons of them exported and 47 thousand tons sold in the domestic market. The remaining amount was stored for future use. A total of 42,000 tons of wine grapes were exported, mainly to Ukraine. According to Mironescu, by the end of the harvest season domestic processors offered a better price for grapes – 4 lei/kg, compared to 2.3 – 3.6 lei/kg at the start of the season. Most of processors bought the grapes in instalments, the first one ranging from 25 to 60 percent.