A good storage facility has allowed the Moldovan apple exports to continue through the entire year, boosting general demand as the year advances, according to Ruslan Jubirca from Moldovan exporter of apples FructLine Group: “High-quality apples constantly meet high consumer demand. The 18 highly efficient controlled-air cold storage rooms, each with an overall capacity of 5,500 tonnes, allows us to keep the fresh flavor of our apples and provide a continuous production. Our capacity is an advantage when it comes to exporting high-quality and calibrated apples. Since not every farmer has access to these sophisticated storage options We see a growing the demand for our products throughout the entire year.”
In the last few years apple production in Moldova has been increasing, Jubirca emphasizes, as all are becoming better with the growing process itself. “Our production has grown, due to our accumulation of knowledge, constant testing, experienced agronomists as well as the use of modern techniques. Sustainability is a major element in our progress We have now implemented energy-saving solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of our operations and making our processes more eco sustainable.”
With the newly obtained accreditations, FructLine plans to expand its reach into European market in the near moment, Jubirca explains: “Historically our exports have been to many CIS countries like Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus and also to Israel as well as in the United Arab Emirates, Romania as well as others. Since our most recent GlobalG.A.P. accreditation, we’re excited to grow into European markets like Germany as well as other markets. The advanced technology of storage and sorting position us to be able to satisfy the high standards for quality and service set by Western European retailers.”
Diversifying export markets for Moldovan apples can help reduce the risk of price volatility, Jubirca states. “In recent times, Moldovan apple exports have relied heavily upon the Russian market. nearly 99% of the exported fresh apples going to Russia by 2020. This amounts to around 191,000 tonnes. Because of this, prices are susceptible to fluctuation as a result of market dynamics and competitive pressure. As an example, Iran has significantly increased the exports of its apples, which reached the estimated 950,000 tonnes during the period 2020-2021, thereby increasing the competition on markets such as Russia. In the end, Moldovan apple prices have experienced a downward pressure. This highlights the significance of diversifying the export market in order to maintain prices and lessen the dependence on a single market.”
In the end, FructLine has its eyes at growth in both technology and production “Each season, we aim to increase our production by incorporating new techniques into our farming. Our orchards are highly intensive and are equipped with the latest agriculture equipment. We make use of drip irrigation that filter water through reverse osmosis to ensure that our apple varieties are moist and delicious. This helps us overcome issues like water shortage and salinity of the soil.”
“We intend to grow our orchards from 70 ha to 100 hectares. This will further raise the quality of our apples. The addition to the Mafroda sorting line will aid in enhancing the process of sorting and the overall apple quality. We aim to keep expansion into markets with high value as we continue to be committed to sustainability and technology innovation,” Jubirca concludes.
More information is available here:
Ruslan Jubirca
FructLine Group
[email protected]