Leguminous vegetables market in Moldova

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh leguminous vegetables in Moldova saw a notable expansion in 2020, with volume reaching 7,645 t. This surge was primarily driven by the Ministry of Agriculture's launch of a support program for farmers, offering subsidies for cultivating nitrogen-fixing leguminous crops, which directly encouraged increased planting and production.

Following the peak, market volume entered a period of contraction, declining to 5,613 t by 2023. The downturn was influenced by the introduction of updated quality and packaging requirements for fresh produce, which raised operational costs for growers. A significant factor in 2023 was unfavorable climatic conditions, which led to a marked reduction in sown areas and caused a 32.8% drop in production, sharply limiting market supply.

Regulatory developments shaped the market environment throughout the period, including the implementation of Law No. 237/2018 on quality control and traceability, and later rules aligning labeling and seed standards with EU norms. These measures aimed to enhance food safety and promote crop diversification, contributing to the market's structural evolution alongside annual production fluctuations.

Production leguminous vegetables in Moldova

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, Moldova's leguminous vegetable production rebounded in 2020. The country produced 7 664 tons that year, representing a significant 21.0% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 8.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 6 335 tons, while the sharpest year-over-year drop occurred in 2018 with a 22.0% decrease.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Moldova

Exports in kind, t

Moldova's leguminous vegetable exports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. Export volumes reached just 23 tons, marking a dramatic 91.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, exports plummeted by 99%, with an average annual decline rate of 78.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania and Pakistan were the dominant destinations for Moldova's leguminous vegetable exports, together accounting for 83.0% of total export volumes. The remaining 17.0% was distributed among various other countries.

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

Moldova's leguminous vegetable export revenues declined for the third straight year in 2020. Export value totaled $28.3 thousand, representing a 79.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export revenues fell by 94.7%, with an average annual decline rate of 62.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Serbia, and Pakistan formed the core markets for Moldova's leguminous vegetable exports in value terms. Romania accounted for 52.5% of export value, Serbia for 21.6%, and Pakistan for 13.3%. Together, these three countries represented 87.5% of total export revenues.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to Moldova

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest point was recorded in 2018 at just 1 ton, while imports peaked in 2019 at 5 tons - a sixfold difference between these two years. In 2020, Moldova imported 4 tons of leguminous vegetables, which was 20.0% less than in 2019. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018 with a 69.1% decrease, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 with a 495.7% surge.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Albania, Romania, and Turkey were the primary sources of Moldova's leguminous vegetable imports. Albania supplied 43.1% of import volumes, Romania contributed 31.3%, and Turkey accounted for 22.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 96.5% of total import volumes.

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

Import values exhibited significant volatility during these years. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $2.4 thousand, while imports reached their peak in 2019 at $9.0 thousand - representing a 3.8-fold difference. In 2020, Moldova's leguminous vegetable imports totaled $7.6 thousand, which was 16.0% lower than in 2019. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 with a 25.2% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 281.6% surge.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Albania, Romania, and Turkey were the leading sources of Moldova's leguminous vegetable imports in value terms. Albania accounted for 37.7% of import value, Romania for 29.8%, and Turkey for 19.2%. Together, these three countries represented 86.7% of total import expenditures.

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

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