MOLDPRES REPORT: Moldovan cherries expanding presence on international markets thanks to new automated sorting and packaging line launched in Bucovăț, Straseni

Chisinau, July 2 /MOLDPRES/- Moldovan cherry producers can expand their presence on international markets, thanks to a new automated sorting and packaging line installed at GAIA Investment regional HUB in Bucovăț, Straseni district. MOLDPRES team was able to see how it works today at the launch event of the line, the first large-scale modern line available for more than ten producers.

This line for the time being the most powerful in the country allows automated sorting of cherries according to size, color and caliber, eliminating fruit with internal defects and facilitating efficient packaging. The investment in post-harvest infrastructure includes a hydrocooler for cooling the collected fruit. This machine allows a higher quality level and a longer shelf life to be maintained. 

Founded by three entrepreneurs with experience in the horticultural sector - a German fruit trader, an exporter, and a fruit producer from Molodva - GAIA Investment has made an investment of over one million dollars, of which 55 thousand dollars is support from the USAID Rural Competitiveness and Resilience Activity (RCRA).

"Continued investments by USAID and its partners have improved Moldova's export capabilities, with measurable results in 2023 placing Moldova among the top cherry exporting countries. We will continue to support Moldovan farmers as well as the Government in policies to develop the agribusiness sector," Andrew Segars, USAID Senior Advisor said.

Asked by MOLDPRES, Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry said "horticulture is an essential element in the country's economy, as the export value of fruit and vegetables represents a significant share". "Consumer demands are becoming increasingly stringent in terms of quality and packaging, and the implementation of technological solutions in agricultural enterprises will ensure the success of our products on the international market," the official said.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the fruit sector has a significant share in the country's economy. "We are already registering successes in diversifying export markets for fruit. It is important to make further progress, but this requires everyone's involvement and investment. Changes have been included in the new subsidy measures to make the subsidies more attractive and to encourage fruit growers to use high-performance varieties and innovative technologies, to form associations and to adjust production to EU standards," Bolea said.

Thanks to the investments made in recent years in modern varieties, sorting and pre-cooling equipment, Global G.A.P./GRASP certification - Moldovan cherries can more easily face the competition on the international market. According to Vitalie Gorincioi, President of Moldova Fruct Association, cherry producers are adapting very quickly to changes in the sector, as confirmed by the increasing investments in recent years in planting new varieties and modern cherry production technologies.

For his part, Andrei Cumpanici, manager of the USAID Rural Competitiveness and Resilience Activity in Moldova, explained to MOLDPRES that "in order to remain competitive and align with export requirements, it is necessary for producers to continue working on the technological processes of cherry production and post-harvesting to ensure the harmlessness and quality of the fruit." "As EU importers are very demanding on fruit quality, Moldovan producers have to comply with the maximum residue level requirements of up to four active substances present in stone fruits, requested by large EU retailers," Cumpanici said.

In the last five years, the area of cherry orchards in Moldova has increased from 3,600 to 4,300 hectares. Our country now ranks among the top 15 cherry exporting countries in the world.

In 2023, Moldovan producers exported over 16 thousand tons of cherries worth over $22 million. The harvest season of Moldovan cherries ended with an increase in exports to the European Union market by 12.5 times compared to 2022. In 2023, Moldovan cherries were delivered for the first time to several countries of the European Union, such as Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands. 163 tons were exported to the United Kingdom. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, in 2022, 208 tons of Moldovan cherries were exported to the EU market, and in 2023 the export figure reached 2,600 tons, which is an increase of 12.5 times.

This year, despite bad weather conditions for cherries, in May-June, Moldova has already exported 12,300 tons of cherries, and 1,700 tons have reached the EU market. The export season of cherries will end in mid-July.

Reporter: Lilia Grubîi

Photo: Mihai Vengher