Adequate storing facilities have helped the Moldovan apples to be exported throughout the year, increasing overall demand as the season progresses, says Ruslan Jubîrcă of Moldovan apple exporter FructLine Group: "High-quality apples consistently meet strong demand. Our 18 dynamic controlled atmosphere cold storage rooms, with a total capacity of 5,000 tons, allow us to preserve the fresh-picked taste of our apples and ensure year-round supply. This capacity gives us a major advantage in exporting premium, calibrated apples. Because not all farmers have access to such advanced storage solutions, we see increasing demand for our apples throughout the year."
Over the past few years, the production of apples in Moldova has seen an increase, Jubîrcă emphasizes, as everyone is getting more skilled at the cultivation process itself. "Our production volumes have increased, thanks to accumulated experience, continuous experimentation, skilled agronomists, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Sustainability is also a key factor in our development; we have integrated energy solutions, reducing our carbon footprint and making our operations more environmentally friendly."
Thanks to the recently obtained certifications, FructLine hopes to enter more European markets in the coming time, Jubîrcă explains: "Historically, we've exported to several CIS countries, including Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, as well as to Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Romania, and other countries. With our recent GlobalG.A.P. certification, we're eager to expand into European markets, such as Germany and beyond. Our advanced storage and sorting technologies position us well to meet the strict quality standards of Western European retailers."
Diversifying the export markets for Moldovan apples will help decrease the vulnerability to price fluctuations, Jubîrcă states. "In recent years, Moldovan apple exports have been heavily reliant on the Russian market, with 99% of fresh apple exports directed there in 2020, totaling approximately 191,000 tons. This dependency has made prices vulnerable to fluctuations, due to market dynamics and competition. For instance, Iran has significantly increased its apple exports, reaching an estimated 950,000 tons in the 2020-2021 season, intensifying competition in markets like Russia. Consequently, Moldovan apple prices have faced downward pressure. This situation underscores the importance of diversifying export markets to stabilize prices and reduce reliance on a single market."
Overall, FructLine has its eyes set on growth both in technologies as well as production: "Each year, we strive for growth by integrating new technologies into our farming practices. Our orchards are super-intensive and equipped with state-of-the-art agricultural machinery. We utilize drip irrigation systems, with water filtered through reverse osmosis, ensuring our apples are juicy and flavorful. This approach helps us combat challenges such as water scarcity and soil salinity."
"We plan to expand our orchards from 70 hectares to 100 hectares, further elevating our standards. The introduction of the Mafroda sorting line will assist in enhancing the sorting process and overall apple quality. Our goal is to continue expanding into high-value markets while maintaining our commitment to sustainability and technological innovation," Jubîrcă concludes.
For more information:
Ruslan Jubîrcă
FructLine Group
[email protected]
