Moldova: Why its EU path is key for economic growth
Moldova must maintain its European path to strengthen economic development, according to the Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, Doina Nistor.
She said access to the EU market was essential, as Moldovan exports there had already doubled.
The Russian Federation market is seen as unpredictable, the minister added, with exports to the country falling and farmers seeking to reorient towards EU markets.
"It is absolutely critical for Moldova to maintain its European path," Nistor said. "It is absolutely essential that we continue to have access to the EU market. We need to increase our exports. We've already doubled our exports to the EU market. It's a market that values quality and pays a fair price for our products and services. That's why the European path is essential for this forecast of economic growth for Moldova."
As for the Russian Federation market, the minister says it is unpredictable and that Moldova has learned a lot from Russian-imposed embargoes on its wines—an industry that has been reborn and is now appreciated for its quality worldwide.
"First and foremost, it's an unpredictable market. When we have quality products, we want to shift our focus towards the EU market. I think we learned a lot from the Russian Federation's embargo on Moldovan wines. It's an industry that suffered because of the embargoes, but it has, in fact, been reborn and is now appreciated for its quality all over the world. We don't just export to the EU market. Our wines also reach distant markets in Japan and South Korea and are appreciated for their quality," the minister highlighted.
Producers who still have a reliance on the Russian market admit they want to reorient toward more stable markets, the official also says.
"Exports to the Russian Federation are falling. I've spoken with farmers who still have some reliance on it, for apples, for example. But they've confirmed to me that they will continue to invest in new varieties and in post-harvest processing to ensure that apples are sorted and packaged. Their vision, in any case, is to reorient the Russian Federation market towards the EU market and other markets, because the EU market is a primary one. Ultimately, we want to export all over the world, and then we will be a competitive and resilient economy," the minister said.
Last year, the EU absorbed 67.3% of Moldovan exports, remaining its largest trading partner. In contrast, Russia's share was just 3.3%, with deliveries falling by more than 18% in 2024.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
