In 2023, Moldova had 43,100 hectares of apple orchards, of which 12,800 belonged to agricultural enterprises. Another 26,700 hectares were owned by peasant farmsteads, while 3,600 hectares – by the population. It is the smallest area that the Republic of Moldova has ever had. But the advantage is that there are many technologized orchards, which have much higher productivity. The findings belong to Veaceslav Ioniță, expert in economic policies of the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives “Viitorul”, IPN reports.
According to the economist, the apple orchards in 1996-2000 were twice larger in area: 88,000 hectares. “Half of the apple orchard areas were lost, but there is potential to develop technologized orchards, which can bring much higher incomes per hectare compared to cereal products. Apples can be exported to various markets, some of which haven’t been identified yet,” said Veaceslav Ioniță.
Referring to apple exports, the expert noted that in 1995 these amounted to US$21.1 million. By 2000, their value dropped to US$6 million. In 2021, they increased to US$87.6 million, while in 2022 - to almost US$91 million. In 2023, apple exports fell again toUS $62.6 million. Furthermore, the apples were dethroned by table grapes, which have become the most exported product today.
“During 1996-2000, the Russian market for Moldovan apples was lost and we collapsed. The
Republic of Moldova didn’t have other markets. In 2020, again, the Republic of Moldova lost the Russian market, but other markets for Moldovan apples were identified quickly. In 2023, the losses were also related to the Russian market, where we were 97% present until 2021. New markets were identified in 2022, but not enough. The year 2023 ended well below the level of 2022 because the Russian market was lost too quickly and new markets couldn’t be identified,” explained the economist.
Last year, the apples were sold on the domestic market for 3.33 lei/kg, while on the foreign market - for 9.76 lei/kg. “Until 2019, the difference between the selling price of apples inside and outside the country was not very large, while in 2023 there was a threefold difference. Exported apples cost three times more than those consumed domestically. We lost the Russian market, but we entered other markets to which we export much fewer quantities of apples, but the revenues are much higher,” said the expert.
