Moldovan berries dominate market—85% of consumption from local producers
The berry industry in the Republic of Moldova has been experiencing significant growth, becoming an essential component of the national economy after 2015. According to economic expert Veaceslav Ioniță, berry consumption among Moldovans has increased more than fourfold in under ten years. Additionally, the export of frozen berry products has proven to be profitable.
After 2015, the berry industry began to develop significantly as a sector of the national economy. Before that time, it was mainly produced at the household level. Until 2015, our berry consumption was very low—five times less than it is today—and 50% of the berries consumed were imported, with almost no local production. In recent years, local production has increased tenfold. Currently, 85% of the berries we consume are locally produced, while 15% are imported, primarily those varieties that we cannot grow in the Republic of Moldova, as explained by Ioniță.
Approximately 20% of berry production is exported to Poland and Romania. The exports of strawberries and raspberries are split evenly between these two countries. Before 2020, these markets were virtually nonexistent for Moldova. Today, Poland is our largest export market, followed by Romania in second place. The second group of countries includes Russia and Belarus, from which Moldova has unfortunately lost market access, likely due to logistical challenges. Now, Moldova primarily exports to four countries: Poland, Romania, Russia, and Belarus.
As of now, berries are cultivated on an area of 5,400 hectares in the Republic of Moldova.
