The Moldovan wine industry entered 2026 facing a challenging international trading environment, yet export data for the first four months of the year demonstrates the sector’s growing ability to preserve value through premiumization and product diversification.
According to Marketing Intelligence data from ONVV, based on SIA ASYCUDA statistics, Moldova exported 37.1 million liters of wine and wine-related products between January and April 2026, representing an 18% decline in volume compared to the same period in 2025. However, export value remained remarkably resilient at 69.1 million USD, down by only 1% year-on-year.
The figures highlight an increasingly important structural shift in Moldova’s wine export strategy: moving from volume-driven growth toward higher-value exports and stronger pricing power. While global wine markets continue to face inflationary pressure, changing consumer behavior, and weaker consumption trends in several countries, Moldovan producers managed to improve average prices across several major categories.
Still wines remained the dominant export segment, accounting for 78% of total export volume and 60% of export value. The category generated 41.6 million USD from exports of 29 million liters. Although volumes declined by 20%, export value fell by only 7%, supported by significant increases in average selling prices. Bottled still wines reached an average export price of 2.13 USD per liter, up 13% year-on-year, while bulk wine prices climbed 17% to 0.82 USD per liter.
This pricing evolution suggests that Moldovan wineries are increasingly succeeding in positioning their wines in more premium market segments. The bottled wine category, despite lower shipment volumes, continues to benefit from stronger brand recognition and improved market positioning across Europe and selected international destinations.
One of the strongest performing categories during the period was Divin and brandy exports. The category recorded impressive growth of 51% in value and 27% in volume, reaching 20.9 million USD and 5.2 million liters respectively. Bottled Divin exports surged particularly strongly, with volumes increasing by 148% and value rising by 134%. This performance confirms the growing international demand for Moldovan aged spirits and distillates, which continue gaining visibility in both traditional and emerging export markets.
Liqueur wines also delivered positive momentum, with exports increasing by 30% in value and 18% in volume. Bottled liqueur wines maintained relatively stable pricing, reflecting balanced market demand and a stable consumer base.
In contrast, sparkling wines and flavored wines experienced severe declines. Sparkling wine exports fell by 47% in volume and 33% in value, while vermouth and flavored wine exports dropped by more than 70% in both metrics. These categories appear to be more exposed to changing consumer spending patterns and heightened competition in international markets.
From a regional perspective, Europe strengthened its dominance as Moldova’s primary export destination. European markets accounted for 63% of total export value, generating 43.2 million USD and posting 12% growth compared to the previous year. The CIS region remained the second-largest destination with 24% of export value, though growth remained nearly flat.
Exports to Africa increased significantly by 42%, signaling the growing importance of emerging markets for Moldovan producers. Meanwhile, exports to the Americas declined sharply by 65%, highlighting weaker performance in North American markets during the first part of 2026.
Romania consolidated its position as Moldova’s largest bottled wine export market, accounting for 24.5% of export volume and 33% of export value. Poland, Czechia, the United States, Nigeria, the Netherlands, and Canada also remained among Moldova’s most important trading partners.
A broader historical perspective further underlines the sector’s resilience. Although export volumes in 2026 fell below the 10-year average of 41.8 million liters, export value remained significantly above the long-term average of 55.4 million USD. This indicates that Moldova’s wine industry has substantially improved its value generation capacity over the past decade.
Overall, the Jan–Apr 2026 export data reflects a Moldovan wine sector that is adapting to global market realities through improved pricing, product diversification, and stronger positioning in premium categories. While lower volumes remain a challenge, the stability of export revenues demonstrates increasing maturity and competitiveness within the international wine trade.
Source: VinoVistara