The Republic of Moldova is an emerging market economy in the heart of Europe, between Romania is the west and Ukraine in the east. Moldova is a member of the World Trade Organization since 2001; it’s the first ex-Soviet state to join this international club. The country also benefits from free or preferential trade with 43 countries. Among the trade partnerships Moldova has subscribed to, mind the following: 

  • The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the European Union: 27 Member States + Norway, Switzerland, Iceland
  • The Central European Free Trade Agreement: North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, Moldova
  • GUAM Free Trade Agreement: Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova
  • Black Sea Economic Cooperation Agreement: Albania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova
  • CIS Free Trade Agreement: Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
  • Free Trade Agreement with Turkey
  • The Republic of Moldova also benefits from the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences. 

Trade between participatory countries, thanks to these commitments, is based on the following principles:

  • Liberalized exchanges of goods and services
  • Free export of labor
  • Lower duties
  • None or low non-tariff or technical barriers 
  • Reformation and modernization of economies 
  • Harmonization of Moldova’s legislation with the legislation and regulations enforced in the EU.

These economic-trade arrangements allow Moldova resident companies to access markets that bring together more than 880 million potential customers. 

The Republic of Moldova is also negotiating with the People’s Republic of China and Egypt to sign similar accords. 

Top 10 countries for Moldovan exports in 2019

Country Suma(USD)
Romania 765.414.790
Russian Federation 249.858.710
Germany 245.960.380
Italy 267.051.680
Turkey 175.543.370
Poland 113.039.840
Switzerland 85.378.700
Belarus 80.423.400
Ukraine 80.160.150
Czech Republic 64.817.840

Source: National Statistical Bureau

Top 10 groups of goods exported from Moldova in 2019 (USD)

Nr. Produs Suma(USD)
1. Machinery, electric devices and electronics, and spare parts to them; recorders and broadcasting equipment (sound and television) 578.382.790
2. Oleaginous seeds and fruit; various seeds and fruit; industrial and medical plants; straw and fodder 261.517.090
3. Cereals 232.129.190
4. Alcohol and non-alcohol beverages, vinegar 217.383.960
5. Eatable fruit and kernel nuts; citrus and melon peels 211.608.510
6. Apparel and clothing accessories, other than knitted or crocheted 182.366.550
7. Furniture; medical-surgery furniture; lighting devices and similar items; prefabricated building materials 153.124.150
8. Pharmaceutical products 97.552.300
9. Knitted or crocheted clothing and clothing accessories 92.642.490
10. Preparations made of vegetables, fruit or other parts of plants  72.828.650

Source: National Statistical Bureau

Useful links: 
https://trade.gov.md/ro 
www.dcfta.md
https://trade.ec.europa.eu/tradehelp 
https://comtrade.un.org
https://www.intracen.org
https://exportpotential.intracen.org  https://www.intracen.org/itc/market-info-tools/statistics-export-product-country