The Republic of Moldova will negotiate with the EU the permanent liberalization of exports of Moldovan fruits to the European market

Authorities in the Republic of Moldova intend to initiate discussions with the European Union to negotiate an increase in EU import quotas, in accordance with the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA).

The expansion of trade liberalization with the EU could bring both benefits and challenges for certain economic sectors in the country. For instance, Moldovan producers of poultry, pork, and dairy products might face difficulties against EU imports, which benefit from advanced production standards.

Deputy Prime Minister Dumitru Alaiba, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, together with Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Ludmila Catlabuga, held discussions with members of the Economic Council, representatives from industries involved in processing and producing poultry, pork, and dairy products, as well as with exporters of fruits to EU member states. The meeting was also attended by representatives of relevant associations, either from the field of trade with the EU or from sectors likely to be affected by the expansion of liberalization.

Dumitru Alaiba emphasized that one of the essential objectives of the discussions with the EU is to obtain permanent liberalization of Moldovan fruit exports, such as plums, apples, and grapes, to strengthen their access to the European market.

“Exporters have welcomed the initiative to expand quotas and eliminate trade barriers, emphasizing that this will facilitate increased production and attract additional investments in agriculture. At the same time, producers in the meat and dairy sectors have expressed concerns about the impact of competition with European producers, calling for protective measures and government support to maintain their competitiveness,” noted the source.

Dumitru Alaiba reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to promoting a balance between expanding trade with the EU and protecting the interests of the local industry.

“It is essential to capitalize on the opportunities offered by the Association Agreement/DCFTA, but at the same time, we must be mindful of the effects on our producers. We will continue the dialogue with the European Union to find solutions that support both exporters and the economic sectors that might be affected by these changes,” stated the Deputy Prime Minister.

The Association Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova, signed in 2014 and coming into force in 2016, introduced the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), gradually eliminating customs duties and trade barriers to facilitate the access of Moldovan products to the EU market. For certain agricultural products, such as grapes, apples, and plums, annual tariff quotas have been established, allowing duty-free exports; for example, there is an annual quota of 40,000 tons for apples. In May 2024, the EU extended the trade liberalization measures with the Republic of Moldova until 2025, so that exports of products like grapes, tomatoes, and cherries can continue duty-free and without quantitative restrictions.

Discussions with European partners will continue in the coming period, and Moldovan authorities aim to secure the most favorable conditions possible for domestic producers, thereby strengthening the position of the Republic of Moldova in the European market.