In 2024, against the backdrop of declining Moldovan exports, for the second consecutive year fruit exports increased. And although the agricultural harvest was small last year, the increase, in terms of volume of money, was driven by the export of fruit at higher prices than in previous years. Veaceslav Ionita, an expert from the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives “Viitorul”, is the author of the report. In his opinion, the Republic of Moldova can increase its fruit export potential to the whole world at least twice, IPN reports.
“As far as fruit exports are concerned, two positive things have happened: the structure of exported fruit has been diversified, we don’t have a dominant fruit exporter, and the export market has been diversified, we don’t have a country where fruit exports dominate”, the economist says.
Analyzing the evolution of the top five most exported fruits from the Republic of Moldova, the economist noted that apples in 2015 had a share of 9.2%, and in 2024 they reached 27%. Grapes in 2015 accounted for 8.6%, and in 2024 they rose to 21.6%. Plums from 2.7% in 2015, rose to 16% in 2024.
Making a top of the countries where Moldovan fruits were exported in 2024, Ionita said that Romania received 23.5% of Moldovan fruits sold abroad, the Russian Federation – 22.9%; Germany – 8.8%; Germany – 8.8%; Poland – 8.1%; Belarus – 5.4%; the Netherlands – 3.2%; France – 2.7%; Ukraine – 2.5%; Switzerland – 1.8%; 51 other countries – 21.1%.
“Romania became the number one export market for Moldovan fruit in 2024. The top ten markets cover almost 80% of our exports,” the economist said.
According to him, 2024 was a positive year. In 2025, for the first half of the year there will be a drop in fruit exports due to the poor fruit set in 2024. “But on the background of good prices, modern orchards, diversification of markets and types of exported fruits, their pleasant packaging, fruit exports have increased”, Veaceslav Ionita concluded.