---
title: "EU accounts for over 64% of Moldovan exports; economists suggest diversifying markets"
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/83284/eu-accounts-for-over-64-of-moldovan-exports-economists-suggest-diversifying-markets
published: 2026-08-17T18:40:00Z
language: en
author: "Redacția  TRM"
section: "Economic"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# EU accounts for over 64% of Moldovan exports; economists suggest diversifying markets

> The Republic of Moldova concluded the first half of the year with a trade deficit of 3.34 billion euros. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, exports increased at a faster rate than imports during this period. However, the value of goods imported from abroad is nearly three times greater than the value of goods sold internationally.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/66fd8a70-9de4-4841-98f1-cdc0d8fdafc1.jpg)

The Republic of Moldova concluded the first half of the year with a trade deficit of 3.34 billion euros. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, exports increased at a faster rate than imports during this period. However, the value of goods imported from abroad is nearly three times greater than the value of goods sold internationally.

A better pace of export growth alone is not enough to reduce the foreign trade deficit.

From January to June 2026, the Republic of Moldova exported goods worth 1.65 billion euros, representing a 12.5% increase over the same period last year. In contrast, imports totaled nearly five billion euros, rising by 6.5%.

Marin Gospodarenco, founder and executive director of the Analytical Center "Economica" stated in an interview with Radio Moldova that while exports showed a higher growth rate than imports, this trend is insufficient to close the trade deficit.

"We have positive export growth, but it is still not enough to offset the significant size of imports. Therefore, while the increase in exports is encouraging, the deficit remains a structural vulnerability for our economy. If exports continue to grow at a significantly faster rate than imports over the next few years, then we may see a reduction in the deficit," Gospodarenco explained.

The most important exported products included machinery and electrical appliances, oilseeds, fruits, cereals, and vegetables. Notably, cereal exports increased by 1.6 times compared to the first half of last year, while exports of vegetable fats and oils more than doubled. However, Gospodarenco emphasized the need to focus on delivering locally processed products.

"It is not enough to simply export larger quantities; the nature of what we export is crucial. This is one of the main challenges we face. The Republic of Moldova continues to export many products with a relatively low degree of processing," he stated.

Cereals, oilseeds, and raw materials yield limited profits; the economic benefits would be significantly greater if these resources were processed domestically.

The European Union remains the primary market for Moldovan products. In the first six months of the year, exports to EU countries exceeded one billion euros, accounting for 64.2% of the total exports.

Romania remained the main destination for Moldova's exports, absorbing over 27% of the total, followed by Turkey, Italy, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Germany. Additionally, Romania is Moldova's largest supplier, making up 23.5% of total imports, followed by China, Ukraine, Germany, and Turkey.

"It is a considerable advantage to have access to one of the largest and most stable markets in the world, but we must also work to diversify our presence within the European Union. Relying heavily on Romania and a few other markets is not sufficient," the expert stated.

The largest portion of imports consists of energy products (gas, oil, and petroleum derivatives) and road vehicles. The trade deficit recorded in the first six months was 120 million euros higher compared to the same period last year.

In June alone, the trade balance deficit reached 539.6 million euros, which was 8.8 million euros lower than in May but 30.2 million euros higher than in June 2022.