October 23 2008, 09:25

Moldova: grape exports totaled only 8.000 tonnes

Grape harvesting is drawing to a close. At the moment more than 340.000 tonnes of grapes are harvested throughout 87 % of agrarian lands. Export volumes totaled 8.000 tonnes of fresh produce including 1.800 tonnes of technical varieties of grapes exported to Ukraine, reported “News-Moldova” agency, referring the state agency “Moldova-Vin”.

The area of vineyard lands total 158.000 ha, including 141.800 ha of fructiferous plantations. 96.5 % of vineyards belong to the private sector.

As a result of financial difficulties in wine-making industry, purchasing prices for grapes were very low during this year. Wineries declared purchasing prices for red varieties of grapes within a range of 0.18- 0.27 euro/kg, for white varieties - 0.15- 0.21 euro/kg, for Izabella variety - 0.09- 0.14 euro/kg.

According to the program of wine-growing and wine-making development for 2002 – 2020, 25.000 ha of new vineyards will be planted. Table varieties of grapes will be cultivated on more than 5.000 ha of lands.