Moldova’s economy is built upon agriculture followed by fruits, vegetables, wine and tobacco. The country’s extremely fruitful land and climate allow the cultivation of a variety of crops. The industry is dominated by food processing, traditionally the country has specialized in frozen and canned vegetables. Moldova also has a metal-refining industry, almost entirely dependent upon important raw materials and fuels. More than one quarter of Moldova’s industrial plants are located in Transnistria. The Republic of Moldova is poorly endowed with natural resources, apart from its fertile soil. It is entirely dependent on imports to meet many of its consumer, manufacturing and energy needs. Moldova has small oil and gas reserves and must import all of its energy supplies mainly from Russia.
Import articles (2007):
Mineral products (21,4%); electrical machines, instruments, electzrical commodities (14,8%); base metals (9,1%), manufactures of the chemical industry (8,6%), vehicles and accessories (7,8%); textiles and textile goods ( 6,8%); foodstuff, tobacco (6,4%); plastics, rubber (6,1%); herbal products (4,1%); manufactures from brick, cement, ceramic, glass (2,8%); pulp, paper, carton (2,7%)
Export articles (2007):
Textiles and textile goods (20,6%); foodstuff, tobacco (20,6%); herbal products (12,1%); base metals (9,1%); electrical machines, instruments, electzrical commodities (6,8%); mineral products (4,3%); organic oil and fat (4,1%); manufactures from brick, cement, ceramic, glass (3%); shoes, headgear, umbrellas and similar commodities (3%)
Trading partners (2007):
European Union (export: 50,6%, import: 45,6%), Commonwealth of Independent States (export: 41%, import: 36,1%), other countries (export: 8,4%, import: 18,3%)
source:
AWO-Länderreport, March 2008