In a comment to Logos Press, Sergiu Tutovan, director of the Cahul Region Table Grape Producers Association, noted that following last year’s bumper crop, the 2026 harvest—which is determined by biological factors—will in any case be somewhat lower than in 2025.
In this context, “some growers did not even have to make the difficult decision of thinning the bunches—reducing the crop load on the vines.” And a smaller potential harvest (close to optimal, in this expert’s view) means a greater chance of high quality in terms of cluster and berry size.
In addition, this may also mean earlier ripening of the crop and an early start to the harvest.
The phytosanitary condition of the vineyards is also rated between “satisfactory” and “good.” In some vineyards, a slight, “background” presence of oidium is noted.
There is also an anomaly—the nearly widespread occurrence of black rot, a disease uncharacteristic of Moldova’s grape sector. However, the problem is solvable: the pesticides used to combat powdery mildew are effective against it.
A significant factor in the decline in the quality of Moldovan table (autumn) grape varieties was an imbalance between sugar content and acidity (favoring the latter). Earlier this year, during the first half of summer, experts believed the situation would stabilize—sugar accumulation in this year’s crop was expected to proceed rapidly. However, the hot weather in August slowed the growing season and somewhat dampened the optimism of grape growers.
Nevertheless, about a month before the start of the mass harvest of table grapes (the most common fall varieties), the potential yield is estimated to be average or slightly above average, and the quality is expected to be good.
The Irrigation Factor
Although only a small portion of Moldova’s table grape plantations are irrigated, the harvest from these plantations forms the basis of the industry’s export potential. In this regard, it is particularly troubling that, according to industry operators, representatives of the environmental inspection agency are putting pressure on them in August. Specifically, they are strongly urging growers to reduce or completely halt irrigation of the vineyards.
The reason is well known: the shallowing of the Dniester River and the reduction in water discharge downstream from the Dniester Reservoir. According to the inspectors, if grape growers fail to respond to the call to reduce water consumption, penalties may be imposed.
For their part, industry representatives believe that “it is more profitable for them to pay a fine than to shut down irrigation systems ‘on demand’ at a time when the size of the harvest—and thus the return on investment throughout the entire growing season—depends on the availability of moisture.”
As Sergiu Tutovan notes, according to agrotechnical standards, irrigation of table grape vineyards should be stopped two to three weeks before harvest. Experience from previous seasons clearly shows that when this standard is followed, the grape harvest stores better.
In other words, Moldovan grape growers will need irrigation for at least another two weeks. And these same two weeks may prove to be the most challenging in terms of the country’s water supply.
