The Republic of Moldova benefits from all the natural conditions necessary for the intensive development of horticulture. Since ancient times, this branch has been and continues to be one of the basic direction of national agriculture, inducing the efficiency of the entire agricultural sector of the country. The cultivation of national fruits is one of the main strategic branches of the economy, representing about 40% of the value of agricultural production. The country ‘s mild climatic conditions, traditions and experience favored the cultivation of over 60 species of vegetable crops, obtaining high yields and good profits for most crops.

The total annual fruit production in 2020 was about 1 156 thousand tons. Apples and grapes were the most important crops - with a cumulative share of over 80% (480 thousand tons of apple production and 462 thousand tons of grape production). Plums also hold a considerable share - over 103 thousand tons, followed by melons,watermelons and berries.

The total annual vegetables production is about 226.8 thousand tons, except for potatoes, which represent another 171.9 thousand tons. The main vegetables cultivated in open fields are tomatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, onions, peppers, zucchini and others. In greenhouses, the total vegetables production is about 2 thousand tons.

The Association of Fruit Producers and Exporters Moldova Fruct is the profile association for the fruit sector in the Republic of Moldova which promotes the interests of all its 180 members: producers, processors, fruit exporters, but also service providers.

The wine sector is an essential branch of the country's economy. The share of this sector in global agricultural production is about 15% and respectively 23% of total agri-food exports.

The total area of vineyards is 130 thousand hectares , with over 30 types of technical varieties.

The Existing wine companies have a grape processing capacity of 1 million tons and a wine storage capacity of over 800 million liters. Over 80% of grape processing companies are equipped with modern machinery and technology.

In 2020, in the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic, wine products exports accounted 136.7 million liters of wine, only 12.2% less than in 2019 - the equivalent of 2.72 billion US dollars (with a decrease of 7.6% compared to 2019). At the same time, the share of bottled exported wine increased in 2020 by 9% in volume and 9.4% in value, while the volume of bulk wine exported decreased by more than 20%.

There are 4 delimited regions, in the Republic of Moldova, for the production of wine products with Protected Geographical Indication: Codru, Ștefan Vodă, Valul lui Traian and Divin. Each region is run by an association of wine producers with PGI. All 4 PGIs are protected both in the Republic of Moldova and in the EU.

The profile association for the wine sector in the Republic of Moldova is the National Vine Office, which promotes the country’s wine brand - “Moldovan wine. A living legend ”.

Only 7% of the world's land is suitable for growing walnuts. Moldova is fully included in these 7%, remaining one of the largest nuts suppliers of the EU.

According to the Geneva International Trade Center, Moldova is one of the largest nuts exporters to Europe, after the United States, Mexico and China. Walnut plantations have grown rapidly since 2000, from an area of 4,000 hectares to 35,000 hectares in 2019 compared to 14,000 hectares in 2013. Thus, the value of exports increased from USD 39 million in 2007. to about $ 100 million in 2019. Average productivity ranges from 2 to 3 tons per hectare, depending on the variety and climatic conditions.

In the last three years, Moldova has produced between 2,000 and 3,500 tons of dried fruit (mainly plums, but also apples, cherries, pears, etc.) per year, depending on growing conditions and the availability of raw materials.

Export levels usually account for about 70% of production. The EU hold about 80% of Moldova's dried fruit exports; The CIS countries, mainly Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, accounting the remaining 20%.

The profile association for the nut sector in the Republic of Moldova is the Association of Nut Producers,Processors and Exporters Moldnut

The food and beverage industry, as a component part of the manufacturing industry, is one of the main industrial sectors of the country, having a share of over 41% of the total industrial production of the country.

Wine production registering the largest share in the total volume of the food industry - 7.5%, the equivalent of 1.6 billion lei, followed by the manufacture of dairy products - 5% (1.03 billion lei), meat production, processing and preservation and meat products -4.4% (979.5 million lei) and processing and preservation of fruits and vegetables - 3.6% (610.3 million lei).

In March 2020, compared to the same period of 2019, the food industry as a whole registered an increase in industrial production by 3.3% (which generated the increase of the general index on the total industry by 0.7%). Substantial increases were registered in the following activities: manufacturing of milling products, starch and starch products - by 56.6% (causing the increase in total industry by 0.2%); production, processing and preservation of meat and meat products - by 15.2% (causing the growth of the total industry by 0.7%); manufacture of vegetable and animal oils and fats - by 5.4% (causing the increase in total industry by 0.2%);

At the same time, there was registered a decrease in industrial production in the following activities of the food industry: processing and preservation of fish, shellfish and molluscs - by 22.7% (causing a reduction in total industry by 0.1%); manufacture of other food products - by 7.7% (causing a reduction in total industry by 0.1%); dairy production - by 5.5% (causing a reduction in total industry by 0.2%); processing and preservation of fruits and vegetables - by 5.1% (causing a reduction in total industry by 0.1%); and so on.

Annually, about 20 percent of all vegetables and 55 percent of all fruits are processed. The total volume of processed fruits and vegetables is about 300 - 350 thousand tons per year. 8 companies (Orhei-Vit, Alfa-Nistru, Ecovit, Natur Bravo, Fortuna Plus, Covali & Co, VM PlumCom and Monsterax-GSG) export a wide range of products, including apple juice (clarified and pulped), nectar fruits, fruit drinks and canned fruits and vegetables. Canned fruits and vegetables have the most significant export volumes, including peas, corn and whole tomatoes. Additional processed products include tomato pasta and ketchup, baby purees, jams, preserves and specialty items, while over 90% of production is designed for export.

Cereal crops represent 35% of the total area of agricultural land and even more of the total sown area of the Republic of Moldova, about 60 - 65%. An important role in the cereals and cereal-based products value chain is played by traders and to a lesser extent by the operators of the bakery industry.

Wheat, barley and corn are the main crops grown in Moldova. Most items produced in this subsector are designed for the internal market. The main commercial markets are Romania, Russia, Germany, Italy and Turkey.

Wheat, barley and corn, Production thousands of tons

In recent years, the Republic of Moldova has experienced a continuous increase in the share of organic products, so that cereals cover the largest area of organic crops - about 11 271 ha.

As a result, the Republic of Moldova is becoming more and more visible on the EU organic products market, ranking 6th in the top of organic wheat exporters in the EU and 4th in the list of oilseed exporters (excluding soybeans) by volume delivered , which accounts for about 10% of total European imports.

The Association of Exporters and Importers of Agricultural and Cereal Products - is the profile association for the cereals sector in the Republic of Moldova - a representative body of agricultural producers, cereals and oilseeds exporters in the Republic of Moldova.

Animal husbandry is an important branch of agriculture, focusing on breeding and exploitation of farm animals. Animal husbandry and the improvement of animal breeds is of a great importance for different sectors of the economy, starting with providing the population with animal products, the food and light industry- with raw materials and the agriculture - with organic fertilizers, etc.

The livestock sector consists of the following main branches: breeding and fattening cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, poultry and horses.

Animals by categories of producers, thousands of heads

In 2018, approximately 163.3 thousand tons of meat were produced in the Republic of Moldova, of which approximately 50% were produced in households.

The Investment Agency offers a catalog of the food and animal husbandry sector, which includes the main companies in the field of Animal Husbandry, Processed and Canned Products.

In 2020, the Moldovan Investment Agency together with the National Association of Milk and Dairy Producers, conducted a Market Study of the development potential of dairy products in our country, which can be accessed via the link https://cutt.ly/rx0XhDf . The study includes a thorough analysis of the situation in the dairy industry, as well as the necessary data for the development of an investment plan, which assesses the investments and actions that can be taken to increase milk production.

The study had a substantial impact, so that the Republic of Moldova will be able to export dairy products to the European Union market.

In the Republic of Moldova there are several profile associations for the livestock sector, including Meat and Milk Products Producers and Importers’ Union in the Republic of Moldova, the National Association of Milk and Dairy Producers, the Association of Dairy Farmers, ș.a.