The most modern cherry sorting and packaging line in Moldova was launched with the support of USAID in the Straseni district.
The Ministry of Agriculture announced this, noting that Moldovan cherry producers can expand their presence in international markets thanks to a new automated line for sorting and packaging cherries installed in the GAIA Investment regional hub in the village of Bucovet, Straseni district. This line, the most productive in the country, automatically sorts cherries by size, color and caliber, eliminating fruit with internal defects and ensuring efficient packaging. Investments in post-harvest infrastructure also include a hydro-chiller to cool the harvested fruit, maintaining quality and extending the shelf life of the berries. Reusable plastic boxes were also purchased and distributed to manufacturing suppliers to reduce packaging waste and improve the efficiency of collection, refrigeration and storage operations. Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vladimir Bolea emphasized that partnerships in agriculture bring significant benefits, allowing small farmers to access modern and efficient services that would otherwise be economically inaccessible to them. He said the creation of cooperatives demonstrates how resources and knowledge can be pooled to create added value in the sector. “Farmers who collaborate and invest automatically receive a higher rating, thereby increasing their income. The example of the Moldova Fruct Association, which managed to maintain production and avoid significant losses thanks to the association and close cooperation between its members, highlights the practical benefits of cooperation in agriculture. It is obvious that the association solves the two biggest problems of Moldovan agriculture: high production costs and low selling prices. The social impact of the association is also noticeable: young people participate in the agricultural business of their parents, which ensures the continuity and sustainable development of Moldovan agriculture,” said Vladimir Bolea. According to him, founded by 3 entrepreneurs with experience in the horticultural sector - a German fruit trader, one exporter and one fruit producer from Moldova - GAIA Investment invested more than $1 million, of which $55 thousand came from USAID assistance within the framework of the project “Rural Competitiveness and Resilience Activity (RCRA). Thus, a regional center for consolidation and packaging of cherries was created, which allows one to consolidate fruits from regional producers, sort and package them according to the buyer’s specifications. “USAID is proud to partner with GAIA Investment and support the creation of a regional cherry consolidation and grading center. This type of investment will take the sector to the next level, provide access to European markets for smaller producers and contribute to increased incomes for all participants in the value chain - manufacturers, exporters and their employees. These achievements and prospects for success are due to the strong partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and the Moldova Fruct Association,” said USAID Senior Economic Advisor Andrew Segars. Fruit growers have in recent years invested in modern cherry varieties that are in demand in the market, as well as post-harvest infrastructure such as forced cooling, storage and packaging in accordance with GlobalGAP/GRASP food safety standards. The effectiveness of these investments was demonstrated in the previous season, when Moldova managed to significantly increase its presence in the EU market. “Without the sorting line and hydrocooler installed this year, export would have been virtually impossible. This is a large investment, but it will allow us to access the EU market with quality products and added value,” said the GAIA Investment representative Mihail Chilianu. As noted by the Ministry of Agriculture, ongoing investments by USAID and its partners have improved Moldova’s export capabilities, resulting in the export of 16 thousand tons of cherries worth more than $22 million in 2023, which placed Moldova in the top 10 largest cherry exporting countries in the world. This year, despite climatic conditions unfavorable for cherries, in May-June Moldova exported 12.3 thousand tons of cherries, of which 1,700 tons entered the EU market. The export season of Moldovan cherries will end in mid-July. // 03.07.2024 – InfoMarket.
