Moldova flag Moldova: Economic and Political Overview

Foreign trade figures of Moldova

Foreign Trade in Figures

International trade represents around 95% of Moldova's GDP (World Bank, latest data available). The country is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and has signed 47 free trade agreements, including those with the EU, Turkey, the UK, and the Commonwealth of Independent States. According to data by the National Bureau of Statistics, in 2023, the country’s main exports were vegetable products (24.0%), machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment (17.9%), prepared foodstuffs; beverages, spirits and vinegar; tobacco (12.0%), mineral products (11.7%), and textiles and textile articles (8.7%); whereas imports were led by mineral products (23.0%), machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment (17.2%), products of the chemical or allied industries (10.1%), vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment (8.0%), prepared foodstuffs; beverages, spirits and vinegar; tobacco (6.3%).

Traditionally, exports were directed mainly to Russia, but since 2009 more than half of Moldova’s exports have been destined for EU markets. In 2023, the country’s main trading partners were Romania (35.1%), Ukraine (14.7%), Italy (6.4%), Germany (5.5%), and Czechia (4.0%); with imports coming chiefly from Romania (15.0%), Ukraine (12.4%), China (11.7%), Turkey (8.5%), Germany (7.1%), and Italy (5.4%). Overall, the European Union absorbed 65.4% of Moldova's exports and 48.3% of its imports (data National Bureau of Statistics).

Moldova’s trade balance is structurally in deficit. According to data by WTO, in 2023, the country exported USD 4 billion worth of goods against USD 8.6 billion in imports (-6.5% and -5.9% y-o-y, respectively). Concerning services, exports (at USD 2.5 billion) were higher than imports (USD 1.5 billion). Data from the World Bank shows that the country’s trade balance on goods and services was negative by 24.1% of GDP in 2023 (from 28.3% one year earlier). Preliminary figures from the National Bureau of Statistics point out that, in 2024, Moldova's trade deficit grew 19.1% to USD 5.51 billion, with a USD 2.15 billion gap with the EU (up 39.7%) and USD 104.7 million with the CIS (down 50%). Exports dropped 12.2% to USD 3.56 billion, including Moldovan goods (USD 2.71 billion, -5.6%) and re-exports (USD 846.8 million, -28.1%). Exports to the EU fell by 9.6% to USD 2.39 billion and to the CIS by 19.9% to USD 241.6 million. Imports rose by 4.5% to USD 9.07 billion, including USD 4.55 billion from the EU (+8.6%) and USD 346.3 million from the CIS (-35.2%).   

 
Foreign Trade Values 20192020202120222023
Imports of Goods (million USD) 5,8435,4167,1779,2198,674
Exports of Goods (million USD) 2,7792,4673,1444,3324,049
Imports of Services (million USD) 1,1788801,1621,3711,575
Exports of Services (million USD) 1,5441,2781,6352,2792,551

Source: World Trade Organisation (WTO) ; Latest available data

Foreign Trade Indicators 20192020202120222023
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) 87.679.388.5110.795.1
Trade Balance (million USD) -3,312-3,094-4,190-5,193-4,869
Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) -2,946-2,696-3,718-4,284-3,974
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 6.2-9.521.215.9-3.1
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 8.2-14.917.526.75.2
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 56.451.457.869.559.6
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 31.227.930.641.235.5

Source: World Bank ; Latest available data

Foreign Trade Forecasts 20242025 (e)2026 (e)2027 (e)2028 (e)
Volume of exports of goods and services (Annual % change) 2.915.519.021.426.3
Volume of imports of goods and services (Annual % change) 4.47.46.68.58.7

Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook ; Latest available data

Note: (e) Estimated Data

 
International Economic Cooperation
The Republic of Moldova is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The country has also signed a number of bilateral agreement namely with Serbia and Romania.
 

Main Partner Countries

Main Customers
(% of Exports)
2023
Romania 35.1%
Ukraine 14.7%
Italy 6.4%
Germany 5.5%
Czech Republic 4.0%
See More Countries 34.3%
Main Suppliers
(% of Imports)
2023
Romania 15.0%
Ukraine 12.4%
China 11.7%
Türkiye 8.5%
Germany 7.1%
See More Countries 45.2%

Source: Comtrade, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.

 
 

Main Products

4.1 bn USD of products exported in 2023
Insulated "incl. enamelled or anodised" wire,...Insulated "incl. enamelled or anodised" wire, cable "incl. coaxial cable" and other insulated electric conductors, whether or not fitted with connectors; optical fibre cables, made up of individually sheathed fibres, whether or not assembled with electric conductors or fitted with connectors 13.5%
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous...Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excl. crude); preparations containing >= 70% by weight of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations, n.e.s.; waste oils containing mainly petroleum or bituminous minerals 9.8%
Sunflower-seed, safflower or cotton-seed oil and...Sunflower-seed, safflower or cotton-seed oil and fractions thereof, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified 6.0%
Wheat and meslinWheat and meslin 5.5%
Maize or cornMaize or corn 3.6%
See More Products 61.6%
8.7 bn USD of products imported in 2023
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous...Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excl. crude); preparations containing >= 70% by weight of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations, n.e.s.; waste oils containing mainly petroleum or bituminous minerals 14.7%
Petroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbonsPetroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbons 6.7%
Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally...Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars (excl. motor vehicles of heading 8702) 4.6%
Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed...Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses "incl. those in the form of transdermal administration" or in forms or packings for retail sale (excl. goods of heading 3002, 3005 or 3006) 3.0%
Insulated "incl. enamelled or anodised" wire,...Insulated "incl. enamelled or anodised" wire, cable "incl. coaxial cable" and other insulated electric conductors, whether or not fitted with connectors; optical fibre cables, made up of individually sheathed fibres, whether or not assembled with electric conductors or fitted with connectors 2.6%
See More Products 68.4%

Source: Comtrade, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.

 
 

To go further, check out our service Import-Export Flows.

 

Main Services

2.4 bn USD of services exported in 2023
27.09%
25.79%
22.18%
10.15%
10.08%
2.12%
1.16%
0.57%
0.27%
0.23%
0.21%
0.14%
1.6 bn USD of services imported in 2023
38.46%
33.83%
10.74%
6.80%
2.34%
2.32%
1.70%
0.91%
0.84%
0.77%
0.68%
0.61%

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.

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Latest Update: May 2025