In 2016 Moldova's exports to European Union countries held a share of over 65% of total exports

In 2016 the exports of goods to the EU market amounted to 1.3324 billion USD (with 9.4% more than in 2015), which implies a 65.1% share of total moldovan exports (55% in 2014). The statement was made yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister, Octavian Calmîc, during the meeting of the Government Commission for European Integration.

According to Octavian Calmîc, in the same period of time, the Moldovan exports in CIS countries decreased to a share of 20.3% (25% in 2015), corresponding to a value of 414.2 million USD. The minister pointed that among the main partners of Moldova in terms of exports are Romania, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Bulgaria, Poland and France.

Octavian Calmîc also stated that the increase of exports to the EU are due to the increasing number of local businesses, which directs their activity towards the European market. "The number of companies is growing from 1018 in 2013 to 1360 in 2016.” One of the tendencies in trade between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union is the diversification of exports to the EU, which is steadily increasing from 1756 tariff items exported in 2014 to 2102 tariff items in 2016.

According to official data, in 2016 have been increased the exports of cereals and cereal based preparations (+ 34.0%), oilseeds (+ 13.6%), furniture and parts thereof (+ 25.1%), yarns, fabrics and textile articles (+ 41.6%), clothing and accessories (+ 6.7%), alcoholic and soft drinks (+ 2.2%), sugar, sugar based preparations, honey (+ 9.9%), dairy products and avian eggs (+ 29.4%), etc. At the same time, have been decreased the export of vegetables and fruits (18.8%), medicinal and pharmaceutical products (-35.6%), fixed, refined or fractioned vegetable fats and oils (-24.8%), petroleum, petroleum products and related products (-33.0%), power generating machinery and their equipment (-60.5%), textile (-79.5%) and others.

"In the next period particular attention should be paid to animal products that are not currently eligible to export but would represent a potential export growth up to 15%", said Octavian Calmîc.

source: www.mec.gov.md