Previously oriented towards Russia, the Moldovan economy has branched off towards the European Union. The small Eastern European country has notably become the leading exporter of plums to the EU.
The crates of plums are piling up, heading to Germany: after years of tumultuous trade with Russia, Stefan Bitlan turned to the European Union in 2014. As his country votes on its future, this Moldovan farmer does not regret his bet. “It was a difficult decision but yes, we chose our side,” he told AFP, while inspecting the cargo in his warehouse in Drasliceni (center), a half-hour drive from the capital Chisinau .
Why has the price of melon not increased despite the drop in production?
He will not hesitate on Sunday, referendum day for the Moldovans, called to vote for or against the inclusion of the European objective in the Constitution. President Maia Sandu, who is also seeking re-election, is hoping for a big victory for pro-European views. And made plums a campaign argument, symbolizing the success of the western turn of this former Soviet republic. Elected in 2020, the leader cut ties with Moscow after the invasion of neighboring Ukraine and made EU membership a vital issue.
“The best in the world”
Although negotiations with Brussels were only officially opened last year, economic ties have already strengthened. Particularly in July 2022, when customs duties were suspended on seven agricultural products, including plums. As a result, in 2023 Moldova became the leading exporter to the EU of these small fruits with juicy and sweet flesh.
Of the record 150,000 tonnes harvested in the country, 60,000 tonnes were sold to the Twenty-Seven, or a quarter of the total sold on European shelves, bringing in 35 million euros for Moldovan farmers. Tasted fresh, dry or stuffed with nuts, Moldovan plums are “the best in the world”, Prime Minister Dorin Recean praised at the start of the year. Long reserved for the Russian market, they are also now “the heroic champions” of a country in full change, in the words of economist Veaceslav Ionita, interviewed by AFP.
With his 40 hectares of land and the production that he buys from colleagues, Stefan Bitlan, at the age of 35, runs one of the largest export companies in the country of 2.6 million inhabitants. It handles more than 10% of total plum shipments to the EU. After “the challenges” at the beginning linked to “paperwork” and the new standards to be respected, he praises European “stability” and “quality” in contrast to “the dark hours”, when Russia multiplied embargoes and restrictions in reaction to Chisinau’s decision to move closer to Brussels.
The EU is the promise of a “more prosperous future”, according to this farmer whose income has increased tenfold in five years. “We can say thank you to Putin,” quips economist Veaceslav Ionita, referring to the Russian president’s retaliatory actions which pushed Moldova to diversify its outlets. It now exports its fruits to 50 countries, in the hope of “getting out of poverty” and stemming an exodus which has devastated its economy.
Two-thirds of exports
All sectors combined, today two-thirds of Moldovan exports are destined for the EU. And business leaders are largely convinced of the benefits of European integration, according to a recent study. Conversely, the Russian share fell to 3.6% last year, compared to more than 60% in the late 1990s, shortly after Moldova’s independence, the expert said.
Enough to displease the pro-Russian parties, whose supporters protested in September in front of the Ministry of Agriculture to call for a reconnection with Moscow. In a coffin filled with cabbage, grapes and apples, they warned of the imminent death of Moldovan agriculture if the current trend continued. But for the national association of market gardeners Moldova Fruct, there is no going back. “We want to become the orchard of the European Union,” says its director Iurie Fala enthusiastically.
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