USAID AND MOLDOVA-FRUCT PRESENT MANUAL ON EXPORTING FRUIT IN SEA CONTAINERS

Moldovan fruit growers, interested in exporting fresh fruit to distant markets, such as Persian Gulf countries, Northern Africa countries, Bangladesh, India, got a manual on exporting fruit in sea containers.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment, the manual was elaborated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) project “Modern Agriculture in Moldova” and the association of fruit growers “Moldova-Fruct” on the basis of experience of exporters, who have already developed delivery of containers with fruit and table grapes to the Middle East.

Ministry State Secretary Alexandru Dubalari said at the manual presentation that it contains information about using sea containers for transporting perishable goods over long distances, as well as short descriptions of the most common provisions from fruit sale agreements.

“Agricultural producers, exporters, transport companies and inspectors from state institutions will find in the manual relevant information and recommendations on key aspects of sea transportation in containers: factors that affect fruit quality after harvesting, technologies and best practice, which may be applied for supporting the quality of fruits during sea transportation, such as proper packaging and correct stowage”, he said.

According to Moldova-Fruct, further markets propose more and more possibilities for Moldovan fruit growers. If in 2016 there were just several attempts to export to the UAE and Bangladesh, in 2018 around 1 thousand tons of apples were delivered to India, Bangladesh, Iraq, India, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Israel.

The most efficient and safe way of transporting goods to these markets are sea refrigerating containers. The time of transportation varies between 20 and 45 days. Due to this, strict rules of packaging and stowing must be observed, the temperature and humidity, adequate ventilation, to guarantee quality of fruit.