February 25 2015, 09:55 Fruit-Inform

Moldova sharply raises grape exports to EU

Moldova has exported 12,000 tons of grapes to the EU in 2014, 6 times as high as registered in 2013 and the highest export result ever, according to NOI.md. Moldova's total exports of grapes amounted to 51,000 tons in 2014 with 29,000 tons of exports to Russia, 8,000 tons to Belarus, and 2,000 tons to other countries.

«We have expanded the export markets for Moldovan grapes to 18 countries of the world. Last year's results are very optimistic, and we are sure that Moldova can export more, which is also confirmed by berry export performance over the past few years», said Mr. Gheorghe Gaberi, Chairman of Association of Growers and Exporters of Table Grapes.

«Despite the EU import quota amounting just to 10,000 tons, another 2,000 tons were exported under customs duty. Next year we will try to raise the quota in view of Poland to have increased imports of Moldovan grapes 10 times compared with 2013. Romania has shown the same results. In addition, Moldovan exporters have shipped grapes to Sweden, Turkey, Egypt, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and even France, and keep on selling them now. Some agents have kept their produce in storage and now sell it at more profitable prices. For example, Moldova has exported 3,000 tons of grapes in January 2015», he said.