Moldova’s 8-mo Wine and Spirits Exports Rise 79% Y/Y

The countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States remained the main importers of Moldovan wine with an 86.3% share of the total, the state agency for grape and wine production, Moldova-Vin, said in a statement.

It added that exports to Russia totalled $41.2 million in January to August. Ukraine followed with exports worth $32.1 million. Exports to the European Union made up 12% of the total at a value of $15.3 million.

Moldova's wine and spirits exports grew significantly after Russia lifted its ban on imports of Moldovan wine that had been in force from March through November of 2006. At the time, the Russian consumer rights watchdog said that Moldovan wines failed to meet Russian standards and posed a health risk. Moldova said the ban was politically motivated.

Even though Russia formally lifted the ban in November 2006, Moldovan wine exports to Russia did not resume until a year later.

Wine and spirits generate more than a quarter of Moldova's exports revenue. The country exports wine and spirits to 37 countries.

($=0.7425 euro)