Tomato juice market in Moldova

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Moldovan tomato juice market contracted, with consumption falling from 1.3 million liters to just over 1.0 million liters. The decline was most pronounced through 2021, followed by a slight recovery to 1.1 million liters in 2022 before dropping again the next year.

From 2021, local tomato growers began targeting export markets, initially selling limited quantities to Ukraine. A significant shift occurred in mid-2022 when the European Council approved increased duty-free export quotas for several Moldovan agricultural products, including tomato juice. This measure directly spurred domestic production, which jumped to 1.9 million liters that year, while exports more than doubled to over 1.1 million liters.

Despite the favorable trade regime, actual exports to the EU did not materialize in 2022 or 2023 due to difficulties meeting European standards and strong competition. Concurrently, the local market faced rising tomato prices, squeezing producers and contributing to a market volume decrease to 1.0 million liters in 2023. In 2024, the EU further expanded market access by fully liberalizing imports of tomato juice from Moldova, and the first tomato exports to the EU in five years were recorded.

Production tomato juice in Moldova

In kind, 2017-2020, K l

Top producers of tomato juice, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato juice, 2017-2020

Following two years of decline, Moldova's tomato juice production rebounded in 2020. The country produced 1 348 thousand liters of tomato juice that year, marking a 21.3% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.0%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 111 thousand liters, with the largest year-over-year drop of 16.8% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Moldova in kind, 2017-2020, K l

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of losses, tomato juice production in Moldova saw a recovery in 2020. The output was valued at 688.1 thousand US dollars, representing a significant 26.8% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 7.2%, averaging an annual decline of 2.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 542.5 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-over-year decline of 24.5% also occurring in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Moldova in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports tomato juice from Moldova

Exports in kind, K l

In 2020, Moldova exported 596.4 thousand liters of tomato juice, up 19.5% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 19.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 605.6 thousand liters. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 17.6% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 21.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Moldova in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Between 2017 and 2020, Israel, Estonia, and Lithuania were the key export partners for Moldova's tomato juice in volume terms. Israel accounted for 24.2% of exports, Estonia for 20.3%, and Lithuania for 14.6%. Together, these three countries represented 59.1% of Moldova's total tomato juice exports during this period.

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 tomato juice exports reached 304.5 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a substantial 24.9% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 17.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 243.7 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 325.9 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 25.2% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 25.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Estonia, Israel, and Lithuania were the three principal markets for Moldova's tomato juice exports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 58.3% of Moldova's total tomato juice export value during this period.

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

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

Imports tomato juice to Moldova

Imports in kind, K l

Moldova's tomato juice imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The country imported 375.1 thousand liters, representing a steep 32.1% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import volume decreased by 30.8%, averaging an annual decline of 11.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 612.5 thousand liters, with the largest increase of 13.0% also occurring in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Moldova in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Ukraine dominated Moldova's tomato juice imports in volume terms, accounting for 97.0% 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

Moldova's tomato juice imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Import value reached 164.5 thousand US dollars, which is 28.5% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 27.6%, with an average annual decline of 10.2%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 254.0 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 11.8% also occurring in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ukraine remained the dominant and nearly exclusive source for Moldova's tomato juice imports in value terms, accounting for 94.9% of total import value.

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

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