EU expands access for Moldovan products on European community's market

The European Union today announced that it was expanding access for Moldovan products on the European community’s market. According to the EU decision, access will enhance for plums, apples, table grapes and cherries, with extended tariff quotas. At the same time, imports of grape juice, tomatoes and garlic are fully liberalized.

“The EU and Moldova have reached an agreement to revise and update the trade terms from the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between the EU and Moldova. This represents an important step towards building a stable, long-term and balanced trade relationship, especially in the context of Moldova advancing on its path to EU accession,” the European Commission said in a press release today evening.

Prime Minister Dorin Recean said that the agreement announced today by the European Commission was a proof to mutual trust and the fact that EU-Moldova trade relations are becoming deeper and more advantageous for both parties.

According to the official, European partners are opening new doors for the Moldovan economy and is providing stability in an uncertain regional context.

“This is excellent news for farmers, producers and exporters of Moldova. European partners are opening new doors for our economy and is providing stability in an uncertain regional context. The agreement announced today by the European Commission is a proof of mutual trust and the fact that EU-Moldova trade relations are becoming deeper and more advantageous for both parties, benefiting thousands of Moldovan producers. We continue to work for a safe, connected and prosperous Moldova - part of the European family,” said the PM.

The expanded access for Moldovan products on the European community’s market is contingent on Moldova gradually aligning with EU production standards - part of its path towards accession.

On the other hand, Moldova will allow more agricultural goods from the EU, meaning that quotas for pork and poultry will increase, and new quotas for frozen meat, milk and butter will open.

At the same time, mechanisms to protect domestic markets can still be utilized, if imports affect them.

A new evaluation of the agreement is planned for 2027, depending on progress made in Moldova's European integration.

The European Union stays the main trade partner and investor of Moldova. At present, over 65 per cent of the country’s exports go to the EU and over 80 per cent of foreign direct investments into the economy also comes from the EU.