Romania exported over 9,900 tons of wine in the first nine months of last year, up 22% compared to the same period in 2015, according to information from the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry.

Local producers earned more than EUR 15 million from exporting wine during that period, up 35% over the same period in 2015, reports local Agerpres.

Meanwhile, wine imports totaled over 35,200 tons, a quantity 3.5 times higher than wine exports. The value of imports amounted to EUR 31.14 million in the first nine months of last year, up 4.3% year-on-year.

Romania’s wine production in 2016 is estimated at 4 million hectoliters, up 11% compared to 2015, according to the National Vine and Wine Employers. Romania’s eastern region of Moldova generated 20% of the whole production.

Romanians currently drink 22-25 liters of wine per capita, down from 27 liters in previous years, due to the lower purchasing power. White wines are preferred by 60% of the Romanians. By comparison, wine consumption amounts to over 50 liters per capita in developed countries.

editor@romania-insider.com