Increase in foreign trade influenced by positive evolution of agricultural sector in Moldova in 2017

Chisinau, 19 February /MOLDPRES/ - The foreign trade during 2017 was influenced by the evolution of the world prices for food products and energy resources, by the re-launch of production in some industrial sectors, as well as by  positive developments in the transport services, economic situation in the region and appreciation of the Moldovan leu. Also, one of the main factors which influenced the foreign commerce was a positive evolution of the agricultural sector in 2016-2017, the information service of the Economics and Infrastructure Ministry has reported.  

The value of the goods imported in January – December 2017 grew by 18.6 per cent or by 380.5 million dollars against the same period of 2016. According to specialists of the Economics and Infrastructure Ministry, this situation was triggered by the increase of the external demand, given that the growth of the global economy was above expectations. As much as 67.7 per cent of all exported goods represent Moldovan goods and the rest of 32.3 per cent - re-export. The exports to European Union countries account for 65.9 per cent of all exports and the ones to the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) – 19.1 per cent; the rest represent exports to other countries, including Turkey – 4.3 per cent, Switzerland – 1.8 per cent and China – 0.8 per cent.      

In 2017, a 46.1-per cent increase in the export of fruits and vegetables against January – December 2016 had the biggest influence on the rise in export. Also, the exports of machines and electric apparatus and parts of them increased by 37.1 per cent, exports of oleaginous seeds and fruits grew by 19.5 per cent, the ones of clothes and accessories rose by 14 per cent, the exports of cereals and preparations based on cereals increased by 15.2 per cent, beverages – by 15.6 per cent, medicinal and pharmaceutical products – by 28.1 per cent and other transports equipments – a 28.5-fold increase, etc.     

The value of the goods imported in 2017 increased by 20.2 per cent – about 811 million dollars, against the same period of 2016. The growth of imports was caused by an increase in the domestic demand, fueled by the real rise in salary, increase of remittances from abroad, as well as by the appreciation of the national currency. The imports of goods from the European Union countries have a share of 49.4 per cent of all imports and the ones from the CIS countries – 25 per cent; the rest represent imports from other countries, including China – 10.5 per cent, Turkey – 6.3 per cent and the United States – 1.5 per cent.    

Throughout 2017, the import of oil, oil products and related products with a growth of 26.9 per cent, electric energy – 224.8-fold rise, machines, electric apparatus and parts of them – by 20.4 per cent, vehicles – 24 per cent, medicinal and pharmaceutical products – by 18.8 per cent, etc. had the biggest influence on the increase in import.   

(Editor M. Jantovan)