If you've been paying attention to the global wine scene, Moldova has been quietly building a reputation for quality. The latest export figures for early 2026 confirm this isn't just a trend — it's a transformation.
In the first two months of the year, Moldova shipped wine and spirits to 44 countries worldwide, generating $34.3 million in export revenues. That's 7% more money than the same period last year — even though the country actually exported 20% less wine by volume. In the world of wine, that's a very good sign.
Selling Less, Earning More
How does a country export less wine but earn more from it? The answer is simple: better wine at higher prices.
Average prices rose across every major category. A standard bottle of Moldovan still wine now fetches $2.08 on export markets — up 16% from last year. But the real price story belongs to sparkling wine: at $3.25 per bottle, Moldovan fizz has seen its average export price jump an extraordinary 56% in a single year. That's not a statistical blip — that's a market recognising quality it previously undervalued.
Meanwhile, liqueur wines posted some of the strongest volume growth of any category, with bottled exports rising +85% and value climbing +88% — a quiet but significant signal that Moldova's more niche wine styles are finding their international audience.
Sparkling Wine: The Underrated Success Story
Moldova's sparkling wine export performance in early 2026 deserves a spotlight of its own. Total sparkling wine exports reached $1.6 million, up +51% in value and +11% in volume. Bottled sparkling wine drove most of this growth, while even bulk sparkling saw its price per liter rise +29%.
For a category that rarely gets top billing in conversations about Moldovan wine, these numbers suggest sparkling wine could become one of the country's most compelling export propositions in the years ahead — especially as consumers globally continue to reach for bubbles across more occasions and price points.
Divin Has Its Moment
The biggest headline in Moldova's 2026 export data remains Divin. This grape-based brandy, produced under strict geographical indication rules, saw its export value leap by +76%, reaching $11.3 million. Bottled Divin alone grew +152% in value, now averaging $4.43 per bottle on international markets.
What's driving this? Growing awareness of Moldovan Divin in premium spirits circles, combined with a product that genuinely competes with established European brandies on quality and heritage. The numbers suggest international buyers are increasingly convinced.
Where in the World Is Moldovan Wine?
Europe is the heartland, absorbing 66% of all Moldovan wine export value — $22.7 million, up 29% from 2025. Romania leads all destination markets, taking 33.8% of bottled wine value, followed by Czech Republic at 8.8% and Nigeria at 8.6%.
Yes — Nigeria is Moldova's third-largest bottled wine export market by value, reflecting the rising wine culture across parts of Africa. The continent as a whole grew +42% year-on-year, a market trajectory well worth watching.
The Bigger Picture
Moldova's wine industry faced a genuinely difficult 2025 harvest — drought, heat stress, and hydric pressure in many vineyards. Yet export revenues still grew. That resilience speaks to both the skill of Moldovan winemakers and the strength of the brand they've been building through events like Wine Paris, the London Showcase at Hedonism Wines, and international recognition including 70 medals at Japan's Sakura Women's Wine Awards.
The volume may be down — but Moldova's wine, its sparkling included, is worth more than ever.
Source: VinoVistara