Moldovan Wine Ban has been Lifted by Russians
Russians will soon be able to enjoy Moldovan wine once again.
A year ago, Russia placed a ban on the imports of wine and meat from Moldova because of concerns about the quality of the products. While some look at the ban as a way to protect Russian consumers against counterfeit wine, others feel that the ban, along with the ban on Georgian wine imports, is more politically motivated due to the decision of the country’s leadership to distance itself from the Kremlin and become more like the West in it’s governance. In turn, Moldovan officials have refused to support Russia’s attempt to join the World Trade Organization unless the ban is reversed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that the ban would be lifted at a summit in Belarus of former members of the USSR. While no date was given for the resumption of wine and agricultural imports, Putin did state that there will be tight controls over the products and that stringent quality checks would be performed by both Russian and Moldovan officials. Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin has stated that Moldova has taken steps to improve quality control in the wine making industry.
About 30 percent of Moldova’s gross domestic product consists of wine exports. Before the Russian ban went into effect, 80 percent of its wine was sold to Russia and last year exports accounted for $313 million spent abroad.
With Russia closing in on its bid to join the WTO, support of both Georgia and Moldova is crucial to it’s success. Since the ability to export wine and other agricultural products is crucial to both countries economy, this decision is obviously a win/win situation for all parties involved. Especially the Russian consumer, as Moldovan wine was popular as a lower cost alternative to European wines.
