Moldova increases exports of fruits in 2018

Chisinau, 16 October /MOLDPRES/ - The volume of Moldovan fruits sold on the foreign market this year has increased. The subject was analyzed at a meeting of producers and exporters of fruits from Moldova.   
According to data unveiled at the event, so far, 70.6 thousand tons of apples have been exported, thrice as much against the same period of the year before. The export of plums has recorded a significant growth. Thus, 31,000 tons of plums were exported to foreign markets, by 1,000 tons more against 2017. A similar quantity of plums remains in stocks.  
For the first time ever, about 2.100 tons of cherries, more than 5,700 tons of peaches and 1,900 tons of apricots - all in the fresh condition - were commercialized on the external market. According to forecasts, the quantity of grapes supplied abroad will increase in 2018 as well.  
The volume of Moldovan apples exported to Russia increased three-fold, according to data put out by the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA). At the same time, 406 tons of apples were exported to Romania in 2018, against as little as 56 tons last year. This year, for the first time ever, apples produced in Moldova were delivered to Iraq and Bangladesh.    
According to a press release by ANSA, although the supplies abroad have increased, “farmers are facing a large-scale crisis, as the export potential is much higher than the exports carried out at present.” In these circumstances, ANSA Director General Gheorghe Gaberi said that it was necessary to extend the area of sales markets for fruits, grapes and vegetables produced in Moldova.  
Starting from 1 October 2018, fruit growers from Moldova have possibility to export plums to Canada. At the same time, in the near future, Moldovan apples could be supplied to India.  
(Reporter N. Sandu, editor M. Jantovan)