Economy of Moldova

Preferences in payment methods in the EU countries vary significantly by region. Cash payments remain the most popular method in Germany and Austria, where they are preferred by almost two thirds of respondents. Bank cards dominate in the Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Denmark, Norway).

According to the forecast of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the increase in food prices in Moldova in 2026 will amount to 4.9%, which puts our country on the 43rd place in the world on this indicator among 160 states.

In January this year, the revenues administered by the Customs Service were registered at the level of 2,637.7 million lei. Last year, during the analyzed period, this indicator amounted to 2,736.2 million lei. According to the data from the Finance Ministry’s report on the state budget execution as of January 31, 2026, the difference reached 98.5 million lei.

Interaction with the IMF will be a key condition for the country’s support in the EU accession process. The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) made such an appeal to the Moldovan authorities at a meeting on February 27.

The gross agrarian product (in comparable prices) for 2025 increased by 13.8% as compared to the corresponding indicator of the previous year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) of the Republic of Moldova reports.

Imports of Moldovan wine, fresh grapes and other wine products into Ukraine may be significantly restricted in the near future. The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers has prepared amendments to the list of goods whose import is subject to special control in 2026, Logos Press has reported.

The Investment Agency has conducted a study showing that out of 120 hotels in Moldova, only five of them have 5-star category, and another 32 – 4-star, reports Logos Press.

Moldova is among the countries that will benefit from the reduction of US trade duties, Beata Javorczyk, chief economist of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), told AFP news agency, Logos Press reported.

About 30-40% of specialized farms plan to expand their berry plantations this year, especially strawberries. This is partly due to the abnormally harsh winter, the late start of the season and rising prices for berries, especially early berries, in Central and Southern Europe, Logos Press reports.

The Chisinau International Airport will invest about 180 million lei in the first stage of modernization and expansion of the main air harbor of the country, Logos Press reports.

A new position of economic adviser (customs attaché) is being introduced in Moldovan diplomatic missions abroad, Logos Press reported.

The microfinance sector (non-bank credit organizations) in Moldova maintained high profitability at the end of last year, despite the tightening of requirements, reports Logos Press.

In January 2026, Moldova exported 73.7 thousand tons of cereals worth 276.8 million lei. This is slightly less than a year earlier, but experts call such a start “a fairly stable commercial activity for the winter period,” Logos Press reported.

Foreign trade relations between Moldova and Ukraine have become the subject of heated economic discussions in recent years. And this is against the background of the fact that Chisinau constantly emphasizes Kiev’s unconditional support in the war with Russia, claims “brotherly ties” with its neighbors and unity of European integration aspirations.

The current grain drying tariffs offered by many elevators to Moldovan farmers do not favor the preservation of grain quality and active export, Logos Press reports.

Bulgaria, long perceived as a supplier of inexpensive wine for the mass market, is getting louder and louder in the premium category in 2026, according to Logos Press.

Last year Moldova imported 266.32 million euros worth of medicines, exceeding the figures for 2024 (+17 million euros) and increasing the share of imports on the domestic market from 91.6% to 92.9%/ Its own production is estimated at a modest 20.37 million euros, the share of which correspondingly decreased to 7%, Logos Press reported.

Arena Chișinău’s net losses amounted to 37.5 million lei, and the complex is still experiencing systemic irregularities that affect its financial situation, Logos Press reported.

The government does not support the deputies’ proposal to adjust cash limits, but the Finance Ministry has already started analyzing the application of the Cash Settlement Law and is drafting amendments to make it more efficient, Logos Press reported.

A ship has appeared on the list of ships delivering sunflower from Argentina to the Black Sea countries, with Turkey/Moldova as its destination, Logos Press reported.