In 2020, 99% of the exported fresh apples from Moldova were sent to Russia.
According to a survey prepared by Tatiana Burca, Marketing Specialist of the USAID-funded Efficient Agriculture in Moldova project, in 2020, about 191 thousand tons of apples were sent from Moldova to Russia. At the same time, Iran poses a serious threat to pricing in the Russian market, and from August 10, Russia lifts restrictions on imports from a group of Azerbaijani apple suppliers, with a total export potential of 122 thousand tons. According to Tatiana Burca, summing up the growing competition and acute dependence on practically the only importing country, one cannot fail to note the vulnerability and frightening instability of Moldova's positions in the fresh apple market, which endangers not only exporters, but the entire sector as a whole. The expert also notes that year after year, many of the opportunities in the fresh apple business in Moldova remain unrealized, in contrast to the producers of plums, table grapes, and since 2021 apricots as well, which have successfully diversified sales areas and consolidated their positions on new export markets. The USAID representative believes that Moldovan manufacturers need to enter non-traditional markets (Israel, India, UAE, Romania, etc.), taking advantage of the logistical advantage and preferential terms of import taxation. In addition, farmers need to: replace old gardens with highly marginal club varieties; to work out new branded packaging and introduce new packaging technologies; improve post-harvest infrastructure; optimize the supply chain, and, at the same time, pricing. Interesting fact: in Moldova, more than 44% (205 thousand tons) of apples of the 2020 harvest were sent for processing. // 23.08.2021- InfoMarket.
