OREANDA-NEWS. November 30, 2009. This was announced by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry of Moldova Valeriu Cosarciuc during the meeting of the Prime Minister Vladimir Filat with the heads of Moldavian wineries.

The head of the Ministry of Agriculture noted that the debts were accumulated mainly due to the problems faced by the Moldovan winemakers in connection with the loss of the Russian market, and inability to sell their products after the ban on Moldovan wine export to Russia.

Valeriu Cosarciuc stressed that despite of lifting of the ban; the Moldovan winemakers continue to face problems with the supplies of their products to Russia due to the fact that because of introduction of the "single window" principle, Moldovan wines can be exported to Russia through the only customs terminal in Orekhovo-Zuevo.

In addition, there is a problem with double certification of alcohol production in Moldova and Russia, which leads to the higher costs for Moldovan wines at the Russian market and reduces their competitiveness. The Minister of Agriculture also noted that current debt of Moldavian wineries before the grape growers makes 90 million leis.