Moldova’s trade deficit reached $2.34 billion in 2007, a 43 percent increase from 2006, reported Infotag news agency.  Moldovan exports comprised $1.34 billion compared to the import sum of $3.68 billion.  The news source detailed that the nation’s largest trade deficit was with Ukraine ($519 million) followed by Russia ($266 million), and Romania ($238 million). However, Moldova did enjoy a positive trade balance with Kazakhstan and Switzerland and a few other nations.

Exports were reported to have risen to European Union member countries, the main purchaser of Moldovan exports, by 26.3 percent last year to $679 million while exports to CIS countries grew by 27.9 percent to $550 million. Exports to Russia also increased in 2007 despite the embargo on Moldovan wines and farm products.

Moldova’s main export commodity groups include textiles, food and beverage products, tobacco, agricultural products, and machinery and equipment.

This information was originally published on February 7, 2008. (www.infotag.md).