Importers from nine states participate in conference on horticultural sector of Moldova

Chisinau, 15 October /MOLDPRES/ – Dozens of Moldovan producers and importers from 09 foreign states have met, on Tuesday, 15 October, in Chisinau municipality, at the Conference on Investment opportunities in high – value horticulture in Moldova and International B2B Trade Forum. The events were organised by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Federation of Farmers of Moldova FARM.

The Conference addressed topics related to investment options, so as to increase efficiency and, consequently, to increase the export volume of high value horticultural production. Also, the objective of the B2B International Trade Forum was to establish partnership relations to facilitate trade.

"Moldova consumes, on average, 130,000 tonnes of fruit, but unfortunately not all fruits are native. The objective of the Government is to increase the consumption of native fruits and vegetables in Moldova, as well as to prepare this branch for export to traditional and other new markets. The traditional horticulture is the priority direction of agriculture, and the exploitation of fruits on international markets is a wish and must be on the agenda of each farmer," said at the forum opening, Minister of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment, Georgeta Mincu.

"The fruit importers from many countries show an increased interest for the purchase of Moldovan fruits. The confirmation of participation of importers from the United Arab Emirates, France, Spain, Romania, South Africa, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Tajikistan at this conference, is an opportunity for Moldovan producers," noted Head of Regional Development Project FAO/EBRD horticulture in Moldova, Georgia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, Andriy Yarmak.

In the same context, deputy director of FARM, Iurie Hurmuzachi, said that this international meeting: "aims to raise awareness of over 150 participants to multiply the examples of success and innovative ideas in investments in high – value horticulture".

Within the conference proceedings, there were presented concrete, practical, investment models on certain sectors, focused on high value agriculture. Also, the importers who participated in the commercial forum had the opportunity to visit two large apple plantations, which have all the necessary infrastructure for exports: modern storage and sorting lines. For importers interested in table grapes, it was organised a visit to the companies that produce, store and export grapes.

The surfaces of fruit crops in Moldova reach up to 140,000 ha, of which about 115,000 ha are on fruit. The global fruit production is about 900,000  tonnes, and the average productivity is 07 – 08 tonnes per ha. Compared to previous years, the fruit production has increased by almost 20 per cent, due to advanced plantations. The Moldovan fruit exports to international markets have reached around 300,000 tonnes, which represents 1/3 of total production potential.