Sour cherries market in Moldova

Earlier Report Observations

The sour cherries market volume in Moldova expanded from 5 848 t in 2018 to 7 892 t in 2020. This growth was supported by the 2018 Food Safety Law, which established clear standards for horticultural products, improving quality and facilitating market access. Concurrently, the USAID 'High-Performance Agriculture in Moldova' program provided grants and technical assistance for farm modernization, boosting productivity. Regulatory efforts to monitor and combat the European cherry fruit fly also aimed to ensure export-quality produce.

Market volume dipped to 7 369 t in 2021 before a slight recovery to 7 559 t in 2022. The renegotiation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) tariff quotas, initiated in 2021-2022, began easing export barriers. EU-funded projects helped increase the cultivated area for sour cherries, supporting long-term production capacity. In 2022, amended EU technical regulations for dried cherry pulp opened new export channels, while reduced harvests in Spain and Hungary due to weather conditions raised European demand for Moldovan cherries.

In 2023, market volume fell sharply to 6 152 t as exports surged to a record 2 804 t. The finalization of the DCFTA revision in 2023 granted larger duty-free quotas for cherries, significantly boosting shipments to the EU. Strict certification requirements, such as GLOBALG.A.P., imposed by European buyers like Dutch importers, compelled local farmers to adopt enhanced food safety and traceability practices. The average export price rose, reflecting positioning on premium EU markets.

Production sour cherries in Moldova

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Moldova ranked as the 16th largest producer of sour cherries globally, establishing itself among the world's leading producers during this period.

Top producers of sour cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of sour cherries, 2017-2020

Moldova's sour cherry production grew for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 9 657 tons. This represented a 5.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 92.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 24.4%.

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

Exports sour cherries from Moldova

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during these years. The lowest point was in 2017, while exports peaked in 2018 at 1 925 tons. In 2020, Moldova exported 1 802 tons of sour cherries, marking a 30.9% increase from 2019. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 28.4%, while the most substantial growth was recorded in 2018 with an 85.4% increase. Overall, there was a 1.9-fold difference between the highest and lowest export years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Moldova's sour cherry exports were highly concentrated, with Russia accounting for 97.9% of all shipments in volume terms.

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

Export values exhibited irregular fluctuations, indicating a volatile market. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while 2020 saw the highest at 1 245 thousand US dollars, representing a 79.6% year-over-year increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 17.0%. Overall, there was a 2.2-fold gap between the highest and lowest export values during this period.

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

During 2017–2020, Moldova's sour cherry export revenue was heavily dependent on Russia, which accounted for 96.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sour cherries to Moldova

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes were highly volatile during these years. The lowest point was in 2018 at just 6 tons, while imports peaked in 2019 at 95 tons. In 2020, Moldova imported 37 tons of sour cherries, a 60.5% decrease from 2019. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2018 at 90.5%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a remarkable 1 564.0% growth. Overall, imports varied by a factor of 17 between the highest and lowest years.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Moldova's sour cherry imports in volume terms were dominated by just two countries: Poland and Ukraine, which together accounted for 97.1% of total imports.

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 showed considerable volatility over the observed period. The minimum was recorded in 2018 at 2 thousand US dollars, while values reached their peak in 2019 at 70 thousand US dollars. In 2020, import value stood at 26 thousand US dollars, a 63.0% decrease from the previous year. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 94.3%, while the most substantial increase was in 2019 with a dramatic 2 764.3% growth. Overall, there was a 29-fold difference between the highest and lowest import values.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Poland and Ukraine were the primary sources for Moldova's sour cherry imports in value terms, together representing 98.3% of total import expenditure.

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

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