Turkey meat and offal market in Moldova

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh, chilled, or frozen turkey meat and edible offal in Moldova grew to 4,074 t in 2019 but then contracted consistently, falling to 1,770 t by 2023. This initial expansion was supported by high import volumes, reflecting the market's structural dependence on foreign suppliers, which traditionally account for over 70% of poultry meat consumption. The subsequent decline coincided with the implementation of updated national regulations, notably Government Decision No. 624/2020, which clarified definitions and labeling rules for refrigerated and frozen meat, potentially affecting trade flows and market access.

Import quality concerns emerged as a significant factor, with reports of prohibited pesticides used in neighboring Ukraine impacting the safety and volume of regional poultry meat imports into Moldova from 2021 onward. Although the European Union established tariff-free quotas for Ukrainian meat in 2022, aiming to facilitate trade, Moldovan imports of turkey meat continued to fall, suggesting that broader economic conditions or stringent national hygiene rules limited the quota's effect on total market volume. Consumer preference for fresh meat over frozen products remained a persistent market characteristic, shaping demand throughout the period.

Domestic production remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 290 t and 360 t annually, indicating that the market's substantial fluctuations were primarily driven by changes in import volume rather than local output. The market's contraction accelerated from 2020 to 2023, nearly halving in size, with import volumes falling from 3,712 t in 2019 to 1,479 t in 2023.

Production turkey meat and offal in Moldova

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of turkey meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of turkey meat and offal, 2017-2020

In 2019, Moldova's production of turkey meat and offal reached its highest level at 362.8 tons, marking a significant 15.3% increase. However, production declined to 314.9 tons in 2020, representing a 13.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 314.6 tons.

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

Exports turkey meat and offal from Moldova

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland dominated Moldova's exports of turkey meat and offal in volume terms, accounting for 100.0% of all shipments.

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

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Moldova's export market for turkey meat and offal in value terms was extremely concentrated, with Poland responsible for 100.0% of total exports.

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

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

Imports turkey meat and offal to Moldova

Imports in kind, t

In 2019, Moldova's imports of turkey meat and offal in volume terms increased by 6.8%. However, imports dropped to 3 211 tons in 2020, showing a 13.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 15.7%, averaging an annual reduction of 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of turkey meat and offal to Moldova in volume terms were Poland with 50.2%, Belgium with 25.5%, and Romania with 10.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 85.8% 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

In 2019, Moldova's imports of turkey meat and offal in value terms reached their peak at 4 145 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 9.7% increase. Following two years of growth, imports fell to 3 545 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 14.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, Romania, and Belgium were the primary sources of Moldova's imports of turkey meat and offal in value terms. Poland accounted for 39.5%, Romania for 32.6%, and Belgium for 14.9%, collectively making up 87.0% of total imports.

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

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