Moldova’s wine industry continues to show impressive growth in 2024, with both the volume and value of exports increasing compared to the previous year.
For the first nine months of 2024, the country exported a total of 105.1 million liters of wine, representing a 15% increase compared to the same period in 2023. In terms of value, wine exports amounted to USD 167.89 million, an impressive 24% growth year-over-year. This growth highlights Moldova’s expanding footprint in the global wine market, with exports reaching 68 countries by the end of September.
Total Wine Exports (Bulk & Bottled)
- Volume: 105.1 million liters, a 15% increase compared to the first nine months of 2023.
- Value: USD 167.89 million, up 24% year-over-year.
The top 10 export destinations accounted for 82% of the total export value and 84% of the total export volume, demonstrating Moldova’s strategic focus on key markets while still maintaining a presence in a wide array of countries.
Bottled Still Wines: Stable Growth in Value and Volume
Bottled still wines remain a core component of Moldova’s wine exports, showing a steady rise in both value and volume:
- Value: USD 58.6 million, a 10% increase.
- Volume: 24.3 million liters, a 4% increase.
- Average price: USD 1.81 per 0.75L bottle, a 5% rise.
This consistent growth indicates that Moldovan bottled wines are becoming increasingly popular in international markets, with rising demand and higher price points reflecting the country’s focus on quality.
Bulk Still Wines: Slight Decline in Value and Volume
Although bulk wine exports still contribute significantly to Moldova’s overall exports, they have experienced a slight decrease in both value and volume:
- Value: USD 35.1 million, down 2%.
- Volume: 53.6 million liters, a 1% decrease.
- Average price: USD 0.66 per liter, remaining stable.
This minor decline could be attributed to a global shift in demand toward bottled wines, which offer greater brand visibility and higher profit margins for producers.
Sparkling Wines: Rapid Expansion
Sparkling wine exports continue to see remarkable growth, outperforming other wine categories:
- Value: USD 5.3 million, up 36% year-over-year.
- Volume: 1.9 million liters, reflecting a 20% increase.
- Average price: USD 2.09 per 0.75L bottle, a 13% increase.
The significant rise in both value and volume suggests that Moldovan sparkling wines are gaining wider recognition and popularity, driven by competitive pricing and improving quality standards.
Dessert Wines: Modest Growth in Value Despite Volume Decline
Dessert wines showed a small increase in value, despite a decrease in volume:
- Value: USD 2.9 million, a 2% increase.
- Volume: 1.1 million liters, down 3%.
- Average price: USD 2.08 per 0.75L bottle, reflecting a 5% increase.
The growth in average price highlights a continuing demand for Moldovan dessert wines, despite a slight reduction in export volume, suggesting a trend toward premiumization within this category.
Strategic Focus and Future Outlook
The Moldovan wine industry’s performance in the first nine months of 2024 illustrates a continued focus on expanding its global market presence, particularly through higher-value wine categories like bottled still and sparkling wines. The 15% growth in volume and 24% increase in value of overall exports demonstrate the country’s strengthening reputation for producing quality wines that appeal to a wide range of international consumers.
With the sparkling wine category leading the way in growth and bottled still wines maintaining a strong presence, Moldova is well-positioned to continue expanding in premium markets. Although bulk wine exports have declined slightly, this trend may be indicative of a broader global shift toward premiumization, where consumers prefer bottled wines for their quality and branding.
Source: ONVV/Wine of Moldova