10th Nut Growers' Business Summit: Boosting Moldova's Export Capacities

The nut sector in Moldova has the potential to stand out on the international arena, due to growing exports. The high quality of the products and the favorable climatic conditions, plus the strategic partnerships, make the nut crop culture in Moldova to become emblematic for the national agriculture.

Local producers of nuts, hazelnuts and almonds had the opportunity to find out from international experts what efficient logistics, value chains, supply chains, penetration into target markets and everything that happens to nut production as soon as it passes the Moldovan market, emphasizes Oleg Tirsina, president of NGARM.

The external support of the Republic of Moldova is demonstrated by the numerous activities undertaken within the OPTIM project, implemented with the support of Switzerland and Helvetas, which provide relevant solutions against the challenges encountered in the sector.

ANA ȚÎBULEAC, Deputy Director of OPTIM project: Within the project, we address the needs of the sector by providing relevant solutions in key areas such as access to technologies, market access, and capacity building for both key stakeholders and farmers. We have been collaborating with the Association of Nut Growers for the second year now, and we hope this partnership will continue to strengthen the sector, bringing greater consolidation and achieving more significant results."

A key element for expanding nut production on the world market is certification. According to Mariana Canțîr, auditor, some of the certifications that growers need are organic certificates, ensured through natural processes, sustainable, ecological certification and quality management systems for food safety of products and expansion in the European community.

MARIANA CANȚÎR, Auditor: If we are talking about ecological certification, then it takes time. Organic farming takes time because a transition period is needed. Organic farming requires the farmer to go through a transition period and this transition period for walnuts is 3 years.

The tenth edition of the Nut Growers' Summit emphasized the importance of the full commitment of nut producers to the modernization of the sector and to ensure its relevant role on the major international stages. The event was organized by the Association of Nut Growers of the Republic of Moldova, with the support of Switzerland and the Helvetas organization, through the OPTIM Project.