In spring 2006, the Republic of Moldova faced an economic and diplomatic shock. The Russian Federation imposed an embargo on Moldovan wines, citing food safety concerns. The ban affected the wine trade, as almost 80% of the wine lots were exported to the Russian market.
Russia’s radical decision in 2006 caused big losses for producers, but became a prerequisite for turning towards the European market. Moldovan wines are now internationally recognized and win prizes at prestigious competitions.
The ban on imports of Moldovan wine was announced on March 27, 2006 by Ghenadi Oniscenko, head of the Russian consumer protection service. The reason for the decision was the “unsatisfactory quality” of the wine, in which heavy metals and pesticides were found. The authorities in Chisinau presented samples of the wine, which refuted the accusations, and described the embargo as “economic blackmail”, a political measure designed to punish Moldova for its pro-European orientation and criticism of the Russian presence in the Transnistrian region.
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In September 2013, just a few months before Moldova signed the association agreement with the European Union, Russia imposed a new wine embargo. In 2014 alone, losses for Moldovan winemakers exceeded €2 million.
At the initiative of the European Commission, Moldova started to export wine to EU countries. Producers started to invest in upgrading production technologies to meet European market standards. In 2013, Moldova launched the national brand “Wine of Moldova”.
The share of wine exports to the EU has risen from 15% in 2014 to over 60% in 2022, while exports to Russia are less than 10%.
The crisis has thus turned into a historic opportunity. After 19 years since the embargo imposed by Russia, Moldova has developed its image as a producer of quality wines and has become known for its indigenous varieties.
Nowadays, Moldovan wine is appreciated at renowned international competitions and is awarded hundreds of medals. Numerous festivals, especially National Wine Day, bring thousands of tourists to Moldova.
Over the next two months, IPN will present the events that have shaped Moldova’s recent history. Be part of the campaign and share the “History – making Events” stories with your friends, colleagues, and family.