Moldova's Cherry Exports Soar 1,100%
Last year, economic expert Veaceslav Ioniță reported an 11 fold increase in cherry exports compared to figures from a decade ago.
This surge represents the most dramatic export growth in the history of the Republic of Moldova, according to Ioniță.
Ioniță also analysed average cherry selling prices. He revealed that the price per kilogram for exported production reached 27 lei in 2023, compared to 9.6 lei in 2016.
Previously, two or three countries dominated Moldovan fruit exports, Ioniță noted. However, a significant increase in the number of players has emerged in the market.
Ioniță provided a breakdown of export destinations for Moldovan cherries in 2023. The Russian Federation received the largest share (33%), followed by Romania (15%) and Belarus (14%). Kazakhstan, Latvia, Great Britain, and Spain also imported Moldovan cherries last year.
Shifting focus to cherry orchard production, Ioniță highlighted a significant increase from an estimated 2.8 thousand hectares between 2006 and 2010 to 4.7 thousand hectares in 2023.
Ioniță further explained that prior to 2020, most cherry plantations were managed by individual citizens, making it difficult to organise exports. However, a shift has occurred, with plantations managed by enterprises and farmers now dominating the landscape. This development has solidified cherries' position as an attractive investment, with production nearly quintupling in less than two decades.
Ioniță concluded by emphasising intensive agriculture as the key to Moldova's success in the fruit export market. This method generates significantly higher financial returns per hectare compared to traditional agricultural practices. He stressed the need for increased capital absorption within the sector, highlighting it as a prime investment opportunity. Additionally, Ioniță pointed out that intensive agriculture requires five to ten times more labour compared to cereal agriculture.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
