OREANDA-NEWS. December 24, 2013. Moldovan wine producers have missed over 20 million dollars in sales as a result of Russia’s embargo, Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Vasile Bumacov said at a news briefing.

The minister stressed that, although a lot of work was carried out, the embargo still remained in force, and winemakers were missing serious sales, as most wines, especially the sparkling ones, were sold before the end of the year.

"The government and the ministry are looking for solutions to support the wine producers and more projects are being discussed, including one on rescheduling the historical debts," said Bumacov.

The minister emphasised that the Russian market remained important for Moldova. Yet, the recently opened European market must also be turned into account, Bumacov specified.

The minister informed that, this year, over 500 tons of wine grapes had been harvested, from which more than 160 million litres of wine were produced. About 120 million litres, worth 190 million dollars, have been exported, up by 23 per cent against 2012.