Meeting participants confirmed this year’s summer forecast for the apple harvest—approximately 526,000 metric tons (+18% compared to last year’s figure).
“The increase in the harvest compared to last year brings both additional opportunities and additional challenges in selling such a large volume of produce,” noted Iurie Fale, Executive Director of Commercial Operations at “Moldova Fruct.” “We estimate that approximately 145,000 metric tons of apples will need to be exported, while about 325,000 metric tons of these fruits will be sent for processing. This season, fruit quality, early contract signing, and diversification of sales markets will determine the commercial outcome.”
The organization’s board recommended that its members “sort the fruit by variety and quality category early in the season, taking into account specific sales channels and destination markets,” as well as “closely monitor inventory levels and price trends.”
In addition, the board discussed the status of “Moldova Fruct’s” dialogue with the country’s authorities in the context of tax reform. “We believe that the new fiscal measures proposed by the government should not place even greater pressure on agricultural producers. The association supports proposals to maintain the 8% VAT rate on agricultural products, including fruits, as well as on natural gas used for fruit drying; to establish a mechanism to compensate agricultural producers for the excise tax on diesel fuel and a number of other state support measures,” according to a statement from “Moldova Fruct.”
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