Grape producers to diversify markets to develop efficient, modern sector

Chisinau, February 16 /MOLDPRES/- Increasing the productivity and quality of table grapes, the need for advanced growing technologies, diversifying sales markets and obtaining higher incomes were the main topics examined yesterday, within the Advisory Council, with the participation of producers from the branch and the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry ( MAIA).

According to Gheorghe Gaberi, the head of the Moldovan Grape Producers and Exporters Association (APESM), currently, around three thousand tons of table grapes are stored in cold warehouses. In 2022, an amount of about 76 thousand tons was exported, and from the beginning of 2023, about six thousand tons were delivered to the European Union and CIS markets.

"This year, the producers aim to become more competitive and pay more attention to the selection of grape varieties, to adapt their vineyards to the local growing conditions," said Gaberi.

For his part, Minister of Agriculture Vladimir Bolea encouraged producers to associate and invest in high-performance systems, noting that winegrowers who want to modernize their businesses will be fully supported through subsidy mechanisms.

Annually, the Republic of Moldova produces over one hundred thousand tons of table grapes. Currently, from the 13 thousand hectares cultivated with such grapes, about 8000 are planted with the Moldova variety, and only about 100 ha are plantations established according to the Pergola system, which ensures high quality and productivity.

Photo: MAIA