Fruits from the Republic of Moldova gain new markets, despite a difficult agricultural season
The drought, the lack of irrigation and anti-hail systems were the biggest challenges that fruit producers in the Republic of Moldova faced this year. Thus, in the north of the country, the apple harvest decreased by 30 percent, say local farmers. Despite this fact, Moldovan fruits are appreciated for their quality and are more present on the shelves of the European Union, and, more recently, in Saudi Arabia.
In recent years, the Republic of Moldova has registered an increase in the quality of fruits to the highest standards, which makes them accessible and increasingly in demand on the European market, but also in the countries of the Persian Gulf, said the president of the Moldova Fruit Association, Iurie Fală, in the show "Dimineata cu Radio Moldova".
"This allowed us to access markets that many years ago seemed somehow difficult to conquer. Our producers had to learn on the fly how to export apples by sea, for example to Saudi Arabia."
To sensitize domestic producers to grow quality fruit, the "Good fruit is bought quickly" campaign was launched, said Iurie Fală.
"We will draw attention to the taste qualities of the fruit species that we produce in the Republic of Moldova. Of course, when we deal professionally with fruit production, we get quality, fresh fruit that sells quickly."
Despite the difficulties caused by the unfavorable weather conditions, producers are actively involved in identifying new markets. Denis Vornices is a farmer from the north of the country. He says that annually he harvests 3,500 tons of apples, of which about 70 percent are destined for export. Thanks to the investments, the enterprise owned by him and his father, manages to cope with natural calamities, which this year alone reduced apple production by 30 percent, he emphasized.
The young farmer says he is currently in Spain at an exhibition where he hopes to sign new collaboration contracts.
In the 2023-2024 season, the Republic of Moldova exported 133 thousand tons of apples, by 9 thousand more than the same period last year, according to Moldova Fruct data. Due to the climatic conditions, this year's apple harvest will be 450 thousand tons, by 14% lower compared to the previous year. A reduction in the amount of apples this season is also registered in the European Union.
