Moldova is set to resume imports to Russia within the next two months.
Agreement between presidents Putin and Voronin at their June summit has paved the way for the return of Moldovan wines to Russia with the industry optimistic that sales will resume.
Moldova has been hoping for the Russian market to re-open since the ban on its wines in March 2006.
However, export certification will require 52 different analytical tests. Furthermore, all Moldovan wine will have to go through a single export facility, as is already the case for exports to Belarus.
According to reports, the Russian Federal Treasury Enterprise – SoyuzPlodImport – has won the tender for handling all exports.
Iurie Mudrea of Moldova-Vin believes that this single window approach will tighten up quality control. But he also admits that Moldova will not achieve the same volumes as before the ban, when the country’s market share was 45%.
Written by Caroline Gilby MW
