“Despite the spring frosts affecting the orchards in some regions, we will be ready to deliver qualitative plums with a good caliber to buyers from different countries of the world”, says Iurie Fala, the executive director of the Fruit Producers and Exporters Association Moldova Fruct.
Moldovan producers estimate a good and qualitative plum harvest in the current season. There are currently 22,000 hectares of plums under cultivation in Moldova, with an average annual production of 100,000 tons.
“Efforts made in recent years by Moldova Fruct Association and its members made it possible for many customers to enjoy our fruit for its unique flavor and sweetness, particularly the varieties that are the most grown in the country like Stanley, Kabardinca, or President. Every year, buyers from around the world are pleasantly surprised to see our top-notch production and post-harvest facilities. Focus on quality and warm relations with our business partners are core values shared by the members of our association. The number of companies adopting GLOBALG.A.P./GRASP and other quality certifications is growing year by year. This demonstrates the increase in professionalism in the sector. As a result, our plums are conquering new markets every year, so more and more consumers are discovering that taste makes the difference when they talk about Moldovan fruits”, concluded Mr. Fala.
Gaining a top position on the Romanian market in the last five years, Moldovan plum exporters expanded on new markets, such as Poland, Czech Republic, Latvia, and, more recently, Austria and Germany. More than 1300 tons of plums were exported to Germany in 2019 and 700 tons to Austria, which is more than double comparing to the previous year for both markets. The representatives of the German buyers appreciated the quality of the fruits delivered from Moldova and would like to expand their import of fruits from the Republic of Moldova in the current year.
Considering that Moldova exported over 19,000 tons of plums to the EU market in 2019, since the current year the EU has increased tariff quotas for plums from 10,000 to 15,000 tons, which can be exported taxes-free to the EU.
Moldovan plums are in high demand both in Eastern and Western markets and are second-most exported fruit from Moldova. The country ranks among the top 10 fresh plum exporters in the world.
For more information:
Mr. Adrian Cojocaru
Moldova Fruct
Tel: +373 69140614
Email: acojocaru@moldovafruct.md
www.moldovafruct.md/en