Cabbages market in Moldova

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the cabbage market in Moldova contracted from 22 002 t to 17 132 t. Early in the period, the entry of new intermediaries and producers in local markets such as Bălți significantly increased supply, leading to a sharp drop in retail prices. However, by 2020, the difficult economic situation and declining consumer demand drove further market volume reduction.

Market volume continued to fall in 2021, reaching 15 715 t. A sharp turnaround occurred in 2022, when the market grew to 20 540 t despite high inflation exceeding 31% and the impact of the war in Ukraine. These events caused energy and fuel prices to rise, increasing production and distribution costs, and disrupted supply chains, which affected cabbage prices.

In 2023, the market volume slightly decreased to 19 282 t.

Production cabbages in Moldova

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

Moldova's cabbage production has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 14 715 tonnes of cabbages, which represents a 16.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 39.2%, with an average annual decline of 15.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Moldova in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cabbages from Moldova

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 145 tonnes, then peaked in 2020 at 424 tonnes, representing a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Moldova's cabbage exports recorded a dramatic increase of 52.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 54.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 91.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Moldova in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania and Russia together accounted for 83.0% of Moldova's total cabbage exports in volume, with the remaining flows distributed thinly across other markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Moldova in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Moldova's cabbage exports in value terms declined. In 2020, the country exported 117 thousand US dollars worth of cabbages, showing a 1.1% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 158%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 37.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 119 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 68.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Moldova in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Romania and Russia were the dominant buyers of Moldovan cabbages in value terms, together taking 82.8% of total exports, while other destinations each accounted for relatively small shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Moldova in value, 2017-2020

Imports cabbages to Moldova

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year uptick, Moldova's cabbage imports in volume declined. In 2020, imports totaled 2 841 tonnes, marking a 25.1% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 26.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 8.2%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 793 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 57.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Moldova in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017–2020, North Macedonia and Ukraine jointly absorbed 81.5% of Moldova's total cabbage imports in volume, with the rest of the imports scattered across smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Moldova in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of gains, Moldova's cabbage imports in value terms declined. In 2020, the country imported a total of 1 472 thousand US dollars worth of cabbages, showing a decrease of 44.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 632 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 49.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Moldova in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia and Ukraine dominated Moldova's cabbage imports in value terms, accounting together for 83.4% of total flows, with other destinations making smaller individual contributions.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Moldova in value, 2017-2020