The Association Moldova Fruct commented with restraint on the information of the customs service about the relatively modest volume of external supplies of apple last month. Alas, there are too many “uncertainty factors” and contradictory market signals.
Among them, relatively high stocks of apple in Poland, which “press” on the regional market and do not allow products from competing countries to increase the volume of supply without loss in price. As well as somewhat inflated expectations of Moldovan farmers regarding offers on volumes and purchase prices for export-quality apples from traders.
In general, the dynamics of apple exports from Moldova in February was not stable during the last five years. Thus, in 2025 – about 13 thousand tons, in 2024 – about 16 thousand tons, in 2023 – more than 14 thousand tons, in 2022 – more than 23 thousand tons.
However, a positive fact is the increase in the price of exported apples in the winter months of this year compared to the situation in the same period last year. Thus, in January-February 2026, the average price of Moldovan apples in export contracts amounted to $0.81/kg on average, in the same months of 2025 – $0.67/kg.
Of course, a large share of the price increase was probably eaten up by expensive logistics, growing production and commercial costs. Nevertheless, this is still progress.
What is the situation with apple exports in Ukraine?
From July 2025 to January 2026 Ukraine supplied to foreign markets 11.7 thousand tons of apples worth about $7 million, reports EastFruit with reference to AgroTimes.
According to Volodymyr Gurzhia (head of USPA Fruit) in a column for Horticulture Ukraine, no breakthrough in exports is expected this season and there is a risk of not reaching the previous season’s figure (16.8 thousand tons worth $10 million for 2024/2025).
The main problem is the shortage of quality goods. Due to lack of staff and weather conditions, apples were not harvested in time, so they went for processing instead of being sold fresh. The high domestic price, which “overcomes” the appetite of exporters, also adds to the negativity.
It should be noted that Ukraine is a major consumer of its own apple. At the same time, the price of apples in Ukrainian chain retail is many times higher than in the retail of Moldova.
“Some of the apples were not harvested in optimal time and then sent for processing, which narrowed the export potential and supply of quality frosh apples,” Gurzhyi notes.
Nevertheless, the average export price of Ukrainian apple for the above period is $1.67/kg.
Currently, the main buyers of apple from Ukraine are UAE, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Turkey (with re-export to Iraq and Central Asia). FAO experts also note that Syria has become an important buyer of Ukrainian apple (due to relatively cheap logistics – delivery by Turkish trucks).
