Information for fruit and vegetables business in CIS
Moldova in search of alternative export markets for apples in EU
The demand for Moldovan apples has gone down by about a third in Russia (still the main target market for those fruits) since the beginning of spring 2014.
Moldovan exporters say that the share of the Russian Federation accounts for about 80% of total apple exports from Moldova. Taking that into account, a decrease in Russia's imports may significantly affect the Moldovan apple sector.
«A decrease in the demand for Moldovan apples in Russia forces Moldova to search for alternative export markets in the EU”, says an exporter from Moldova. “It is the EU market that has the highest potential for the Moldovan apple sector. However, our growers should focus more on quality of produce to successfully compete in the EU”.
Meanwhile, Moldova is the second largest exporter of apples to the Russian Federation with only Poland exporting more. It should also be noted that Polish exporters also say of lower demand for apples from Russian importers.