Moldovan wines increasingly demanded, growing value of exports in 2017

Chisinau, 01 March /MOLDPRES/ – The wine sector in Moldova is on an upward trend. The volume of Moldovan wine exports increased by 5.5 per cent in 2017, to 14 million decals, and revenues from deliveries on foreign markets increased by 16 per cent, according to data from the National Office of Vine and Wine (ONVV).

The participants at the National Conference of the Viticulture Industry, premiered in Chisinau by ONVV, appreciated 2017 as a successful one for the Moldovan winemakers. In 2017, the Moldovan wine sector reached highest production volume within recent four years, namely 18 million decals, and value of exports reached over $128 million. Domestic winemaking companies improved their grape harvests and gained ground on outside. Moldovan wine is more appreciated and more valued on foreign markets, and the cost per liter is higher than in 2016 and 2015.

"The wine of Moldova has become an increasingly popular product on international markets and demanded by foreign consumers. The volume of exports is on upward trend, but the great performance is that we managed to increase value of wine exported abroad. The current cost per bottle is clearly higher than in 2016, i.e. 8.2 per cent higher. This means that foreign markets are prepared to pay more for a high – quality product, such as Moldovan Wine," said director of the National Vine and Wine Office, Gheorghe Arpentin.

The statistics show Moldovan producers continued to diversify their markets in favour of those in Europe and Asia in 2017, latter accounting for almost 60 per cent of volume of bottled wine exports, which reached 54,208,396 bottles. Almost half of bottled wines, 46 per cent, reached EU markets, over traditional CIS market deliveries that held a share of 32 per cent.

Among the largest importers of bottled wine from Moldova are Poland (14 per cent), China (12 per cent), Romania (12 per cent), Russian Federation (12 per cent), Czech Republic (11 per cent), Kazakhstan (7 per cent), Belarus (5 per cent), Canada (4 per cent), Slovakia (3 per cent).

The establishment of a public – private partnership in management of wine industry and implementation of integrated marketing policies focused on target markets have played a leading role in promoting and increasing Moldova as a quality wine producer, state strategic partners in the field. Within recent three years, area of ​​Vineyards with Protected Geographical Indication has increased by 37 per cent. Currently, 64 producers in these regions have a production potential of over two million bottles.

"Moldova is in top of European countries after the number of medals at international wine competitions – over 380 gold, silver and bronze medals, which attest to the high quality of Moldovan Wine. In 2017, EU became the first target market for bottled wine, with an increase in total wine exports of over 15 per cent. Moreover, Moldovan wines are exported to over 63 countries around the world," said USAID Moldova Head of Mission, Karen R. Hillard.

The total area of ​​ vine in Moldova is about 78,000 hectares.

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor A. Raileanu)