Moldova exported 133,000 tonnes of apples from the 2023-2024 crop to more than 30 countries of the world, compared to 124,000 tonnes in the 2022-2023 season, the association Moldovafruct reported.
Exports to the EU practically doubled, from 12,000 tonnes in 2022-2023, to 22,000 tonnes in 2023-2024, the main destination being Romania, with 90% of the total exports to the EU. At the same time, apple exports to the Middle East increased from 6,146 tonnes to 8,085 tonnes.
Whereas in the 2022-2023 season 85% of all apples exported by Moldova reached countries of the Eurasian Customs Union, the market has been diversified, and currently this share has decreased to 77%. Apple exports to new destinations have increased, such as Sweden, the UK, and Israel. Meanwhile, a test batch of apples was also sent to India.
Moldovafruct emphasizes the need to work more on the quality of apples, so that they can be competitive in any market. “It is necessary to produce, treat and store apples correctly. We managed to deliver apples to the Middle East in difficult delivery conditions due to the Red Sea conflict. The apples arrived at their destination in 108 days and, due to the fact that they were of good quality, we had only 17 out of 1000 boxes that were not compliant”, said Victor Cazacu, member of the Moldovafruct association and manager of ProInedit SRL.
Moldovafruct executive director Iurie Fală noted that the 2023-2024 season highlights an important trend: producers and exporters are diversifying their markets, exploring new opportunities. In his regard, it is essential to strengthen export collaboration and reduce excessive fragmentation of supply. Iurie Fală believes that a unified approach will increase the promotion power of Moldovan apples on alternative markets and will facilitate access to new export opportunities.
