MOLDPRES REPORT // Moldova Agro-Invest 2026 – path from strategic reforms to major inflows of European capital

The Republic of Moldova today became the epicenter of regional economic dialogue by hosting the Agro-Food Investment Forum 2026. The event, organized under the aegis of the Agri-Food Partnership Platform (APP), brought together in Chisinau government officials, representatives of the European Union, foreign investors and development partners, all sharing a common objective: transforming Moldovan agriculture into a sustainable engine of economic growth, fully integrated into the EU single market.

A decisive moment: Growth Plan and 1.9 billion euros in investments

The opening of the forum was marked by a message of unity and pragmatism. Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova Alexandru Munteanu emphasized that food security and rural modernization are no longer just theoretical concepts, but national security priorities that depend directly on attracting sustainable capital.

“The agri-food sector is strategic for our economy and essentially depends on sustainable investments. We are ready to attract additional capital for the modernization of farms and alignment with European standards. Investing in agriculture today means investing in an economy that is rapidly integrating into the EU market,” he said.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Ludmila Catlabuga highlighted the historic importance of the Economic Growth Plan.

“We are at a decisive moment. Through the Growth Plan worth 1.9 billion euros, we aim to accelerate reforms and turn strategies on paper into concrete investments in irrigation, storage, processing and digitalization infrastructure,” the minister said.

The European Union: main partner and guarantor of stability

The strong presence of officials from Brussels and EU Member States reconfirmed Moldova’s status as a priority trading partner. The Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, Iwona Piorko, recalled that the EU is already the main destination for two thirds of Moldovan exports.

“The European Union remains the main trading partner and the largest source of foreign direct investment for Moldova. The Agri-Food Partnership Platform, launched in 2023, is the instrument through which we facilitate not only the exchange of expertise, but also concrete alignment with European veterinary and phytosanitary policies,” Iwona Piorko noted.

In addition, the FAO Representative in the Republic of Moldova, Raymond Jehle, presented figures that confirm the growing international interest.

“In 2024, the agri-food sector attracted over 400 million euros in foreign direct investment. Our role is to strengthen institutional capacities and facilitate this dialogue between the authorities and major investors so that Moldova’s potential can be fully harnessed,” Raymond Jehle estimated.

Three accelerators for modernization: digitalization, resources and organic production

The discussions within the forum were structured around three pillars for accelerating competitiveness: process digitalization, sustainable management of natural resources and the expansion of organic production.

Special attention was paid to critical infrastructure. Modern irrigation projects, such as those implemented in Stefan Voda district with the support of the World Bank, were presented as examples of good practice. Participants agreed that investments in irrigation systems and cold storage are essential to enable producers of fruits, vegetables and table grapes to access high value-added export markets.

The wine and livestock sectors benefited from dedicated sessions, where the need for public–private partnerships to create value chains resilient to climate change was underlined.

“Climate change requires embedding resilience into every investment decision. We can no longer talk about profit without sustainably managing water and soil,” it was noted during the thematic workshops.

Supporting small farmers and rural entrepreneurship

Although large infrastructure projects dominated the agenda, speakers stressed the importance of inclusive growth. A major priority for the Government remains supporting small farms, women and young people in rural areas, who face difficulties in accessing traditional credit. The strategic use of public funds through blended finance mechanisms and risk-sharing instruments was proposed as a solution to attract private capital to these producers.

The exhibition organized during the forum served as visible proof of the country’s horticultural success, showcasing products that already meet the most rigorous international quality standards.

From screening to scalable investments

The 2026 Investment Forum marks Moldova’s transition from the stage of legislative harmonization to that of economic implementation. With the launch of the screening process for the agriculture and food safety chapters, the country is ready to become a strategic export platform.

The common message of the participants is one of cautious optimism: although huge steps have been taken, investments in agri-food systems must become scalable. Through the unity of business associations, constant EU support and transparent public policies, the Republic of Moldova aims to transform the agricultural sector from a vulnerable branch into a pillar of regional stability and European modernity.

The Agri-Food Partnership Platform (APP) was launched in October 2023 by the Republic of Moldova and seven EU Member States, with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), to strengthen political and technical dialogue and stimulate economic cooperation in the agri-food sector. Since its launch, APP has organized two high-level meetings and one investment forum, held in January 2024 during the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture in Berlin. The first APP investment forum brought together German companies interested in investing in the fruit, wine and sugar sectors of the Republic of Moldova. These companies were invited to interact directly with Moldovan producers to explore potential investment opportunities.