Moldova’s wine sector, a vital pillar of the country’s agri-food exports, continues to display adaptability in a complex global trade environment.
Recent data from the first five months of 2025 paints a nuanced picture: while overall export volumes dropped by 3% compared to the same period in 2024, export value declined only by 2%, indicating a shift toward higher-value wine categories and more selective international positioning.
Key Performance Metrics (January–May 2025)
- Total volume exported: 55,977,617 litres (–3% YoY)
- Total export value: USD 88,175,228 (–2% YoY)
- Number of export markets: 59 countries
- Top 10 destinations: Account for 82% of export value and 84% of total volume
These figures suggest that while diversification is growing (59 countries vs. 54 in the same period last year), Moldova remains dependent on a concentrated set of major buyers.
Performance by Wine Category
1. Bottled Still Wines
- Value: USD 34.1 million (+6% YoY)
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Volume: 13.6 million litres (–0.3% YoY)
This segment continues to move upmarket. Even with virtually flat volume, the 6% rise in value highlights Moldova’s progress in branding and premiumisation of its bottled wine offering.
2. Bulk Still Wines
- Value: USD 22.1 million (+17% YoY)
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Volume: 31.1 million litres (+8% YoY)
A strong performer, bulk wine exports saw robust growth both in volume and value. This reflects Moldova’s price competitiveness and solid demand from international bottlers.
3. Sparkling Wines
- Value: USD 2.7 million (+13% YoY)
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Volume: 0.73 million litres (+7% YoY)
Moldovan sparkling wine continues its steady climb, possibly benefitting from lifestyle trends and festive consumption patterns across key European markets.
4. Dessert Wines
- Value: USD 2.6 million (+69% YoY)
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Volume: 0.94 million litres (+67% YoY)
The highest growth segment, dessert wines experienced a dramatic surge. Though still a niche category, the sharp increases in both value and volume suggest a revival in international interest.
Market Distribution by Region
- Europe: 55% of total exports
- CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States): 25%
- Americas: 12%
- Asia: 4%
- Africa: 4%
While Europe remains Moldova’s most important export region, the CIS and Americas together account for over a third of total exports, offering a relatively balanced geographic footprint. However, the dominance of the top 10 countries underscores the ongoing need for deeper diversification and market expansion.
Strategic Observations
- Premiumisation is advancing. Bottled still wine’s increasing value with stable volume reflects a strategic emphasis on quality.
- Bulk wine remains a volume engine. The 8% increase in bulk wine volume indicates stable demand and Moldova's cost-effectiveness in global supply chains.
- Sparkling and dessert wines offer growth potential. Though smaller in scale, these categories are outpacing the average export growth, and could serve as brand differentiators for Moldova in saturated markets.
- Top 10 markets still dominate. With 82% of value and 84% of volume, Moldova remains vulnerable to shifts in these few export destinations—highlighting the importance of expanding into secondary markets.
Conclusion
Despite a slight contraction in total wine export volume and value, Moldova’s wine sector is showing positive signs of maturity and market adaptation. Growth in value-added segments like bottled, sparkling, and dessert wines reflects an evolution in product positioning. Meanwhile, strong performance in bulk wine underscores Moldova’s relevance in global value chains. As the country continues to broaden its market base and solidify its reputation for quality and affordability, 2025 could yet prove to be a pivotal year for Moldovan wine’s global identity.
Source: ONVV/Wine of Moldova