Moldova’s wine exports held revenue steady despite a drop in shipments

Moldova’s wine exporters started 2026 with lower shipment volumes but nearly steady revenue, a sign that the country’s producers are leaning more heavily on higher prices and a shift toward premium products to protect earnings in a difficult global market.

Between January and April, Moldova exported 37.1 million liters of wine and wine-related products, down 18% from the same period a year earlier, according to Marketing Intelligence data from the National Office of Vine and Wine, based on SIA ASYCUDA statistics. Export value fell only 1%, to $69.1 million, suggesting that price gains helped offset weaker volumes.

The clearest example came from still wines, which remained Moldova’s largest export category. They accounted for 78% of total export volume and 60% of export value, bringing in $41.6 million from 29 million liters shipped. Volume in the category fell 20%, but value declined only 7%. Bottled still wines averaged $2.13 a liter, up 13% from a year earlier, while bulk wine rose 17% to $0.82 a liter.

That pricing pattern points to a broader change in Moldova’s export strategy. Producers appear to be moving away from dependence on large volumes and toward products that can command better margins in foreign markets. The trend has become more important as global wine consumption remains uneven and inflation continues to affect buying patterns in several countries.

Divin and brandy exports were among the strongest performers in the period. Sales in that category rose 51% in value and 27% in volume, reaching $20.9 million and 5.2 million liters. Bottled Divin showed especially strong growth, with volume up 148% and value up 134%, reflecting rising demand for Moldovan aged spirits in both established and newer markets.

Liqueur wines also posted gains, with export value up 30% and volume up 18%. Prices in that segment were relatively stable, indicating steady demand from a core customer base.

Not every category benefited from the shift. Sparkling wine exports dropped 47% in volume and 33% in value, while vermouth and flavored wines fell by more than 70% in both measures. Those declines suggest that some lower-volume categories are facing tougher competition and more pressure from changing consumer spending habits.

Europe remained Moldova’s main export destination, accounting for 63% of total export value, or $43.2 million, up 12% from a year earlier. The CIS region was second with 24% of export value, though growth there was nearly flat. Exports to Africa rose 42%, showing that Moldovan producers are finding new opportunities in emerging markets. Shipments to the Americas fell 65%, pointing to weaker demand in North America during the first part of the year.

Romania stayed Moldova’s largest market for bottled wine, taking 24.5% of export volume and 33% of export value. Poland, Czechia, the United States, Nigeria, the Netherlands and Canada also ranked among the country’s key trading partners.

Over a longer period, the data show how far the industry has moved toward higher-value exports. The January-April volume total was below Moldova’s 10-year average of 41.8 million liters, but export value remained well above the long-term average of $55.4 million. That gap suggests that Moldovan wineries have improved their ability to generate revenue even when shipments are smaller.

For an industry that has long depended on foreign sales, the first four months of 2026 show a sector trying to defend its position through pricing power, product mix and broader market reach rather than volume alone.