Moldovan entrepreneur succeeds in EU plum exports through quality and modern technology
Zinaida Plămădeală successfully exports plums to the European Union, proving that Moldovan businesses can compete on the global stage. Her company transformed by investing in quality and modern technology, driven by the opportunities created by the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.
Zinaida Plămădeală has achieved remarkable success by embracing modern farming. She keeps pace with changing market demands and innovative technologies.
"Our goal was to cover the entire value chain, from primary production to export. Every year we expanded the area under cultivation, and today we grow plums on about 50 hectares. We also built a cold storage facility with a capacity of 2,000 tonnes, equipped with grading, packing, and optical sorting lines that detect both internal and external fruit defects," Plămădeală said on Radio Moldova's Zi de Zi program.
The results speak for themselves. Ninety nine percent of the company's production goes to European Union markets, including Austria, Germany, Poland, and Italy. The company manages logistics with precision, using both contracted carriers and ex works delivery terms, where buyers collect the goods directly from the warehouse.
"Everyone focuses on quality and the lowest possible price to keep products competitive. Overall, buyers are open and receptive. We also see growing demand for products that traditionally went to CIS and Russian markets. Seeded table grapes, for example, are becoming more popular across the EU, even though those markets once showed little interest," she said.
Quality reflects major investments in green technology and state of the art infrastructure.
"Every producer should meet these standards, whether they sell in Moldova or export abroad. Food safety and pesticide regulations apply to everyone. More producers are moving in the right direction and working to comply. The real challenge lies in maintaining those standards, which requires significant investment, time, and skilled professionals," Plămădeală said.
The company's rapid growth has also benefited from European and national funding. Grants and subsidies have helped diversify production at an impressive pace.
"Nearly every investment we made, whether in orchards, irrigation systems, solar panels for our cold storage facility, grading and packing equipment, tractors, or other agricultural machinery, received state support. The funding came through a combination of the national budget, loans, and European Union grants," she added.
People remain at the heart of the business. During peak season, more than 100 workers keep the farm running.
"We employ about 30 permanent staff throughout the year. The rest are seasonal workers who help with field operations and harvesting. We strive to treat them fairly by offering decent wages, bonuses, meals, transport, travel reimbursement, and a respectful working environment," she said.
The business still faces challenges. Geopolitical tensions and border disruptions can quickly affect operations, but cooperation helps overcome them.
"We work with industry associations, ministries, and local authorities to resolve these issues. We try to address problems professionally, constructively, and through dialogue, because the challenges we face affect the entire sector," Plămădeală said.
Looking ahead to Moldova's goal of joining the European Union by 2030, she believes the country's agriculture must rely increasingly on research, innovation, and education.
"We have already received strong support in understanding how to grow our businesses and promote our products. Now the priority is practical implementation. We must build resilient infrastructure, invest in skilled professionals and education, and promote agriculture as an attractive career. That is how we will create a sustainable farming sector for the future," she said.
Last year alone, the company delivered more than 1,000 tonnes of plums to European consumers. Plămădeală says she takes great pride in seeing Moldovan products on the shelves of major retailers.
"I am proud of what we have achieved, and not only of my own company. Whenever I see products from any Moldovan business on the shelves of major stores around the world, I feel proud," she said.
Author: Veronica Scorpan
