Moldovan wines will be exported to the European Union in the conditions of the facilities provided by the Autonomous Trade Preferences (ATP) starting on Friday, March 14, 2008, stated Minister of Economy and Trade, Igor Dodon, for the press on Tuesday.

Dodon specified that exports under ATP conditions would start after the provisions of the Regulation on the management of tariff quotas for goods export to the EU recently approved by Government Decision enter into force. The regulation provides for the Ministry of Economy and Trade to issue authorizations for goods export to the EU in order of application receipt, based on the principle “first come, first served”.

On Tuesday, in a special meeting, the Ministry of Economy and Trade distributed the quotas for wine exports. According to the minister, the export quotas were distributed to 14 economic agents of Moldova, of which 6 companies have already prepared all the necessary documents and as of March 14 will obtain the given authorization to carry out exports to the EU.

Dodon stated that among the companies that applied for authorizations are Combinatul Cricova, Lion Gri, Vinaria Bostavan, Combinatul de vinuri de calitate Milestii Mici, Acorex Wine Holding, Vinaria Bardar and other manufacturers.

The wine export authorizations will be issued by the Ministry of Economy and Trade for a period of 30 days within the set quota limits without collection of duties or any additional costs. After the term expires, the exports may apply for a new authorization.

Under the conditions of the Regulation, the quantity of wines exported by one economic agent should not exceed 10% of quota provided by the EU which is of 600,000 dal for this year, with doubling of the quantity up to 1,200,000 dal in 2012. The EU proposed to Moldova quotas for the wines with alcohol content of up to 15%, while the rest wine products, including sparkling wines, brandy, vodka and other strong drinks will be exported without quotas and customs duties.

At the same time, exports that will exceed the quota will be subject to customs duties that at present range from 0.1 EUR to 0.32 EUR per liter.

Dodon stated that a year before Moldovan companies had exported to EU about 1 mln dal of wines and expressed his hope that in 2008 wine export would grow, allowing authorities to start talks about increase of export quotas.

According to the minister, the biggest exports in 2007 were carried out to the markets of Romania and Poland (by 300,000 dal of wine), followed by the Czech Republic with 144,000 dal. Significant supplies were also carried out to Germany, Italy, and UK.

The regulation for the application of the ATP in Moldova, adopted by the EU Council of Ministers on 21 January 2008, sets out the import quotas for a number of sensitive products for the community market.

In addition to the spirits, the document sets out quotas for fresh, refrigerated or frozen veal, mutton, pork, and goat meat, dairy, sugar, eggs, grain products, apples, pairs, quince, apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, tomatoes, cucumbers, vegetable marrow and grapes.

In 10 months of 2007, Moldovan exports to EU accounted for 50.1% of the total exports, and imports accounted for 45.6%. Moldova exported on the EU market goods worth 533.9 mln USD, by 31% more than in 10 months of 2006. The volume of imports from the EU amounted to 1,321.3 mln USD, by 38.3% more than in the reference period last year.

The main export partners are Romania (15.4%), Italy (10.6%), Poland (3.3%), UK (2.7%), Austria (2.6%), Bulgaria (2%), Switzerland (2%), and France (1.5%). The biggest share in exports comes on textiles (20.9%), foodstuffs, drinks and tobacco (20.2%), vegetal products (11.9%) and metals and products of these (8.3%).  // BASA-Press



Publication date: 12 March 2008   

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