News about Economy of Moldova

In northern Moldova (Coresteuți, Ocnița), another irrigation system—built by farmers in collaboration with local authorities and with grant support from the IFAD VIII program—has begun operating.

Gross apricot production in the Republic of Moldova in 2026 is estimated at 15,000–17,000 metric tons, which is comparable to the figures for 2024. This was reported by the Moldova Fruct Association.

This was announced by Government Secretary-General Alexei Buzu as he presented today another group of villages that have decided to merge and establish a single municipal administration.

The Ministry of Energy is proposing to merge 12 gas distribution companies into a single entity, with the aim of reducing administrative costs and improving the sector’s efficiency. Vadim Ceban, Chairman of the Board of MoldovaGas JSC, stated that the company supports the initiative but emphasized that the reorganization itself will not lead to a noticeable reduction in natural gas rates.

The Moldovan advertising market exceeded 654 million lei in 2025, with online advertising accounting for the largest share—at least 280 million lei. These figures were provided by the Competition Council of the Republic of Moldova.

The new prime minister, Vasile Tofan, has already indicated that the agri-food sector will be a key focus. Meanwhile, MAIA Minister Radu Musteață has already outlined a list of priorities for the ministry.

This minimum wage level is planned for 2030. This was announced by Natalia Plugaru, Minister of Labor and Social Protection.

Starting in early August, Moldova will see the start of the season for the organized sale of young walnuts in their green shells—through supermarket chains, in consumer-sized packages. Prices for this “niche” product—which is already quite expensive—will not rise compared to last year, as promised by its producers.

Moldova’s economy grew by 0.14 percentage points.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Vladimir Bolea did not rule out the possibility of establishing maritime academies in Moldova. However, this will not happen until the country’s legislation has been harmonized with the relevant European Union regulations.

A high-tech irrigation system has been put into operation in the village of Peliney (Kahul District). The project will enable 25 local farmers to irrigate more than 60 hectares of farmland. Construction of the facility cost more than 10 million lei. The majority of this amount came from a grant from the IFAD program.

Mariana Durleșteanu, former Minister of Finance of the Republic of Moldova and former ambassador to the United Kingdom, has appealed to the new Prime Minister, Vasile Tofan, to raise the salaries of teachers and doctors.

Following the pandemic, the flow of international tourists has shifted toward new destinations. The number of foreign visitors has grown most significantly in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Egypt, while a number of popular tourist destinations, including the United States, Thailand, and Italy, have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.

By August 6, the Ministry of Finance will present a new framework for budget and tax policy for 2027. Prime Minister Vasily Tofan has instructed Finance Minister Victoria Belous to do so.

The Moldovan Parliament endorsed the candidacy of Vasile Tofan, a 44-year-old pro-European investment manager and financier nominated by the ruling party. On July 21, 2026, 53 deputies from the ruling Action and Solidarity (PAS) party passed a vote of confidence in the cabinet, after which President Maia Sandu signed the corresponding decree.

According to the EU Neighbors East 2026 study, commissioned by the European Union, trust in government institutions in Moldova remains low. However, attitudes toward the European Union itself are at a record high.

As of the middle of this week, wholesale prices for watermelons at wholesale markets in Moldovan cities do not exceed 5–6 lei per kilogram. By contrast, at the end of last workweek, the price was 7–9 lei per kilogram.

Apă-Canal Chișinău states that there are currently no threats to the water supply in Moldova, including the capital.

Moldova’s State Hydrometeorological Service has extended the “yellow alert” warning of a fire risk through the end of this month.

The staff of the National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA) gave a warm farewell to their former director general, Radu Musteață, who is now the head of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Food Industry (MAIA). Judging by the group selfies on Facebook, the new minister also holds warm feelings for his former colleagues and is grateful to them.