Richer apple harvest in Moldova, despite hail losses
The apple harvest in the Republic of Moldova is expected to reach around 530,000 tons this year, an increase of approximately 18% over 2025. This preliminary forecast from the Moldova Fruct Association indicates that severe spring frosts did not significantly affect the orchards this year, and the plantations affected last year have resumed production.
Producers highlight that hailstorms have caused significant losses, which could impact fruit prices and marketing opportunities.
One of the producers affected by the hail is Andrei Tcaci, who operates in the village of Pârjota, Râșcani district. He manages both intensive and traditional apple and cherry orchards, with some of his plantations protected against spring frosts.
"The fruit is beautiful, but it is affected. Of course, this will impact our prices and marketing," declared Andrei Tcaci during the "Zi de Zi" program on Radio Moldova.
Tcaci owns approximately 10 hectares of super-intensive orchards, with seven hectares planted with the Golden and Gala apple varieties. Additionally, he has 19 hectares of traditional orchards featuring the Champion and Red Delicious varieties.
This past spring, he attempted to shield his plantations from low temperatures using specialized equipment. However, the hailstorm damaged some of the trees and fruit.
Regarding marketing, Tcaci noted that last year the apples from his older traditional orchards were primarily destined for processing, while the fruit from the newer plantations was exported to foreign markets.
"A significant portion went to Romania. There was supply and demand in other countries as well, including Arab nations, but we'll see," he explained.
Tcaci believes the hail damage will also affect pricing. While apples were sold from the orchard at approximately 10-12 lei per kilogram last year, he indicated it is too early to estimate prices for this year.
"For now, there is neither supply nor demand," he stated.
For his young orchard, Tcaci reported last year's production was around 35 tons, and he estimates this year's yield will be approximately 40 tons. He explained that this orchard is only in its second year of fruiting and hasn’t reached full production capacity yet.
Another challenge faced by Moldovan producers is access to foreign markets. Tcaci noted that logistics and transportation issues complicate the export process. To extend the marketing period, a portion of the harvest is stored in cold storage.
"All these challenges stem from logistics—because of carriers, and everything related to logistics," he said.
While an increase in the overall harvest is anticipated in the Republic of Moldova, apple production in the European Union is projected to reach one of its lowest levels in the past nine years. Late-spring frosts have adversely affected orchards across multiple European countries, leading to low temperatures during the flowering and fruit-setting periods.
The Moldova Fruct Association estimates that this year, most of the Moldovan apples will reach or exceed the 70-millimeter caliber. The final harvest forecast will be updated after the harvest season, which is scheduled for the second half of November.
According to official data, the total area occupied by apple orchards in the Republic of Moldova is approximately 55,000 hectares.
You can listen to the interview broadcast on the "Zi de Zi" show on Radio Moldova below.
