Moldovan producers of cherries inform about deficiencies faced in export

Chisinau, 29 March /MOLDPRES/ - Over 70 producers and exporters of cherries from all Moldova’s regions today met to consider possibilities of enhancing the competitiveness of the cherries produced in Moldova on export markets.  

The discussions were focused on prospects and challenges of this sector, as well as on actions which can be undertaken to extend the export of cherries both to the traditional markets, such as the one of Russia, and to the markets of the European Union and the United Arab Emirates. Also, the participants in the meeting discussed problems affecting the competitiveness of the product on foreign markets, such as the non-homogenous soils, lack of equipment of post-harvest, pre-cooling, sorting and packing, as well as the insufficient promotion.    

Attending the event, Deputy Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Vasile Luca said that “the production of cherries in Moldova has potential of development, as cherries are demanded on international markets and has been recorded a continuous rise in the last years.”

The director of the USAID project, High Value Agriculture Activity in Moldova (HVAA project), Cynthia Steen, said that, to enhance the performance of the sector of producing cherries, agricultural producers should orient themselves to the requirements specific of the target markets, opt for new varieties and invest in the post-harvest infrastructure. “To this end, the USAID HVAA project in the next five years will provide support to farmers, so that they become competitive on export markets,” Cynthia Steen said.  

The head of the Moldova Fruct Association, Vitalie Gorincioi, noted that the producers of cherries were quickly adapting to the changes in this sector, which is confirmed by the increasing investments in the planting of new varieties and modern technologies of cherries’ production in the last years. “To enhance the export potential, it is important that we develop also a brand for Moldovan cherries, which will lead to recognition on foreign markets,” Gorincioi said.    

The event was organized by the USAID project, High Value Agriculture Activity in Moldova, in partnership with Moldova Fruct Association of Fruits Producers and Exporters and the AGROinform National Farmers’ Federation.  

In 2013-2016, the area of new cherry orchards increased by about 890 hectares. At the same time, the exports of cherries grew from 1,700 tons in 2010 up to 5,500 tons in 2015.  

(Reporter A. Plitoc, editor L. Alcaza)