Moldovan Economy Ministry: export quotas to EU not exhausted, exports can continue under preferential regime

The export quotas of Moldova to the EU have not been exhausted and exporters from the country can continue deliveries to the European market under a preferential regime. The Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization (MDED) has made statements to this effect. MDED noted that these export quotas were renewed annually and, starting from 1 January 2026, they had been fully available, in the volumes set by the renegotiated Agreement between Moldova and the European Union.

MDED also referred to official data from the EU customs system (TARIC – DG TAXUD), which confirm that there is no blockage caused by the exhaustion of quotas and that exports can continue under preferential conditions. The official data, reflecting the situation as of 16 January 2026, show the following:

- Grapes (40,000 t/year):

2025 – 11,394 t not used;

2026 – 38,047 t available.

- Apples (50,000 t/year):

2025 – 38,884 t not used;

2026 – 49,229 t available.

- Plums (61,000 t/year):

2025 – 17,971 t not used;

2026 – 60,789 t available.

- Cherries (4,500 t/year):

2025 – 4,400 t not used;

2026 – the full quota of 4,500 t is available.

The official information on quota utilization can be verified in real time in the European Commission’s TARIC system (order numbers: 096802 – grapes, 096803 – apples, 096804 – plums, 096806 – cherries).

At the same time, MDED informed that a technical deficiency had been identified in the TARIC system, which generated confusion regarding the display of quotas. In the context, the ministry, in cooperation with the European Commission, initiated the necessary steps to remedy the situation. According to MDED, the technical deficiency regarding the display of information in the European customs system was removed on 13 January 2026, and during the reference period, no import customs duties were charged in the EU for Moldovan grapes, apples or plums.

As for the volume of quotas renegotiated with the EU, MDED emphasized that, during the negotiations, the maximum volumes exported to the EU in recent years had been taken into account. At the same time, for 2027 a review of the quotas is planned, with the possibility of additional increases, depending on the capacity of the exporters to use the available preferential quantities and on the evolution of demand on the EU market.

In the summer of 2025, the European Union approved the extension of export quotas for more Moldovan agricultural products, thus strengthening trade relations with Moldova within the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). Thus, Moldovan farmers can export grape juice, tomatoes and garlic to the EU without customs duties, while tariff quotas for plums, table grapes, apples and cherries have been increased.