According to data published by Moldovan wine authorities and analyzed by Wine-Intelligence, Moldova’s wine exports totaled 89.67 million liters between January and September 2025 — a decline of 15% compared to the same period in 2024.
In terms of value, exports reached 154.86 million USD (approximately 144.3 million EUR), marking an 8% decrease year-on-year.
Despite this contraction, Moldovan wines maintained a wide international footprint, reaching 66 countries across the globe. However, the export structure remains highly concentrated: the top ten destinations accounted for 80% of export value and 82% of exported volume, reflecting both the loyalty of key markets and the challenges of diversification.
Breakdown by Category: Strong Performance for Fortified Wines, Declines in Aromatized and Still Wines
The export data reveal mixed trends across different wine categories:
- Still wines — The largest category, generating 98.3 million USD (91.6 million EUR), recorded a 5% increase in value, though export volumes dropped by 9% to 71 million liters. Bottled still wines performed relatively well, with value rising 9%, while bulk exports decreased slightly in both value (–2%) and volume (–13%). The average export price increased by 10%, reaching 1.98 USD per bottle (1.85 EUR).
- Sparkling wines — This segment showed contrasting signals, with total export value of 5.8 million USD (5.4 million EUR), up 49% from last year. However, bottled exports declined 1% in value and 9% in volume. Despite this, the average export price increased 9%, indicating continued demand for higher-quality sparkling products.
- Fortified wines — This category experienced the strongest rebound, with exports up 64% in value and 65% in volume, totaling 4.8 million USD (4.46 million EUR). This growth underscores the renewed interest in Moldova’s traditional dessert and fortified wines on foreign markets.
- Aromatized wines and vermouths — The weakest-performing category, suffering a 73% decline in export value to 8.6 million USD (7.99 million EUR) and a 71% drop in volume. Analysts attribute this sharp fall to shifting consumer preferences and increased competition in low-alcohol and flavored wine segments.
- Divin (brandy) — Moldova’s brandy exports rose 12% in value, reaching 36.9 million USD (34.4 million EUR), with a 6% increase in volume to 10.4 million liters of absolute alcohol. Bottled Divin exports advanced 10%, supported by stronger demand in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, while bulk shipments rose 12%, reflecting sustained interest in the category’s affordability and consistency.
Structural Challenges and Market Concentration
Although export figures show resilience in value terms, the discrepancy between volume and value suggests a trend toward premiumization rather than expansion in scale. Moldovan producers appear to be shifting their focus toward higher-quality, bottled wines that command better prices in key markets such as Romania, Poland, the Czech Republic, China, and Kazakhstan.
However, dependence on a limited number of markets continues to expose the sector to external shocks. With 80% of export value concentrated in just ten countries, any disruption in these destinations — whether economic, logistical, or political — could significantly affect national performance.
Outlook
While the 2025 results indicate a decline in overall export volumes, the Moldovan wine industry remains strategically positioned thanks to its focus on diversification, quality improvement, and branding. Continued support for vineyard modernization, promotion, and export market development — particularly in Western Europe and Asia — will be essential to sustaining competitiveness.
Source: ONVV/Wine of Moldova