Growing demand for dried berries in Moldova

The spread of COVID-19 infections and other respiratory diseases during the cold season in Moldova stimulates the demand for dried berries and fruits. Berries high in vitamin C such as rosehip and black chokeberry (Aronia) are gaining popularity as well as drinking compotes based on them.

One of the largest producers of dried berries in Moldova is MoBerry. This entrepreneurial cooperative unites seven berry and horticultural farms in the Ialoveni region. According to MoBerry’s Administrator Anneta Ganenko, as temperatures drop, dried berry and fruit mixtures for certain categories of consumers become a preferred alternative to ordinary dessert fruits. Their prices grew dynamically this November-December and imported products prevail in the assortment.

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Ms. Ganenko claims that in 2020 the cost of dried berries is high due to drought. Nevertheless, taking into account the falling purchasing power of the average Moldovan consumer, the members of the cooperative decided to keep the price level for finished products at about last year’s level.

The cooperative’s assortment includes 36 commodity items. Premium class items are sold only through a chain of boutiques focused on gourmets. The other products of the middle and economy segments are supplied to several supermarket chains in Chisinau.

In the future, the MoBerry cooperative intends to convert their orchards and berry plantations from standard to organic and certify them according to international standards for export to the European Union.