Moldova wine grape output rises despite shrinking vineyards
Moldova’s wine grape harvest is projected to increase by 15% compared to the previous season, according to estimates released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry. Average productivity is expected to reach between eight and nine metric tons per hectare.
Yields across the country are projected to vary between seven and 13 tons per hectare, depending on grape variety, geographic region, farming technology, and local climate conditions.
Pricing and market negotiations
Official estimates indicate that wine grapes from the current harvest will sell for €0.34 to €0.41 (approx. 6.8 to 8.2 MDL) per kilogram. Final purchasing prices will be negotiated directly between growers and processing wineries based on variety, grape quality, and market demand.
Long-term structural shifts
Despite higher seasonal yields, the national viticulture sector continues to experience a contraction in cultivated land. Ministry data shows that total vineyard surface area dropped from 117,000 hectares to 107,000 hectares between 2021 and 2025, with productive vineyards accounting for 93,000 hectares.
Wine grape plantations currently cover 90,500 hectares, of which approximately 80,000 hectares are fully productive. Meanwhile, annual maintenance costs for one hectare of vineyard in 2026 are estimated at €2,580 to €3,970, adding sustained financial pressure on domestic producers.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
