Introduction
Moldova may be a small country in Eastern Europe, but it has a big reputation when it comes to wine. With vineyards stretching across its rolling hills, Moldova is one of Europe’s oldest wine-producing nations, boasting traditions that go back thousands of years. Today, Moldova is not only exporting wines to established European markets but also making major inroads into Africa—especially Nigeria.
In fact, Nigeria has emerged as the largest African importer of Moldovan wines, purchasing almost 0.9 million litres in the first seven months of 2025 alone. Out of the 1.648 million litres exported to Africa during this period, Nigeria accounted for more than half. With a population of over 230 million people, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the sixth largest in the world, making it an exceptionally attractive market for any wine exporter.
For UK wine importers, this development carries two messages: first, Moldovan wines have already demonstrated their strength in fast-growing markets; second, there is still room to build new business partnerships that can benefit the UK as well as Moldova.
Moldova’s Rising Wine Profile in Africa
Moldova’s wine sector has worked actively to introduce its wines to new international audiences. In August 2025, a delegation of Nigerian distributors travelled to Chișinău, Moldova’s capital, to meet government officials and wine industry leaders. They held discussions with Andrian Digolean, State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, and Ștefan Yamandi, Director of the National Bureau of Vine and Wine (ONVV).
The talks focused on strengthening Moldova’s wine presence in Nigeria, which has already climbed to eighth place globally among Moldova’s wine importers. Ghana follows closely behind, showing that the entire African continent is increasingly open to Moldovan wine.
The Nigerian delegation praised the quality and diversity of Moldovan wines and expressed interest in expanding partnerships, not only in wine but also in other agri-food products. They also committed to joint promotional events in Nigeria to make more consumers familiar with Moldovan brands.
As part of this growing cooperation, the Nigerian delegation has been invited to attend Moldova’s National Wine Day in October 2025, a flagship event that attracts wine professionals and enthusiasts from all over the world.
Why UK Wine Importers Should Care
So, what does this mean for the UK? At first glance, the African market may appear far from Britain’s retail and hospitality sectors. However, there are three key reasons why UK wine importers should take note of Moldova’s success in Nigeria:
- Proof of Market Appeal: If Moldovan wines can win over a diverse and dynamic consumer base like Nigeria, they can succeed in the UK too. British consumers are increasingly adventurous in their wine choices, looking for quality at affordable prices—precisely what Moldovan wines offer.
- Opportunity for Triangular Trade: UK companies could import Moldovan wines not only for British shelves but also as part of a re-export strategy to Africa, leveraging existing trade connections with Nigeria and beyond.
- Diversification and Resilience: Moldova is emerging as a cost-competitive supplier, offering UK importers protection against rising costs in traditional wine markets such as France, Spain, and Italy.
Benefits of Importing Moldovan Wines
For UK–Moldova bilateral trade, wine imports bring a host of benefits:
- High quality at affordable prices – Moldova’s wines regularly win international awards while remaining competitively priced.
- Variety and tradition – From bold reds to crisp whites and sparkling wines, Moldova offers a rich and diverse portfolio.
- Sustainable production – Many Moldovan producers are shifting to eco-friendly and organic practices, aligning with UK consumer preferences.
- Direct partnerships – Working with Moldovan producers provides UK importers with flexibility and tailored supply agreements.
On the international stage, Moldova’s rising exports strengthen its reputation as a global wine player. For UK businesses, being part of this growth story early offers a strategic advantage.
Moldova’s Path to the European Union
The wine sector is also part of Moldova’s broader economic transformation. The country is firmly on its path to join the European Union by 2030, aligning its wine standards with EU rules on quality, labelling, and sustainability.
Currently, Moldova is benefitting from €1.9 billion in EU support until 2028, aimed at modernisation and market integration. From 2028 onwards, an even larger pre-accession support package will become available, creating more favourable conditions for trade and investment.
For UK wine importers, this means greater confidence in doing business with Moldovan producers, knowing that their practices are being upgraded to meet international and EU standards.
Moldova Business Week 2025: The UK Business Mission
The best way to experience Moldova’s wine revolution is to visit the country in person. This September, the UK Business Led Mission to Moldova organised by Dina Railean, CEO of Moldovan Diaspora Business Alliance Ltd (MDBA) and Express Language Solutions Ltd, as well as Salford President, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, together with Paul Kallee Grover MBE, Export Champion, Department for Business and Trade and MD, Ki Partnerships Ltd will attend Moldova Business Week 2025 (15–19 September).
👉 Full details here, including ways to join:
https://moldovan-diaspora.com/why-uk-businesses-should-join-the-trade-mission-to-moldova-september-2025/
This mission is an excellent opportunity for UK wine importers to:
- Meet Moldovan winemakers directly and sample their products.
- Negotiate partnerships and distribution agreements on the ground.
- Understand Moldova’s economic transformation and EU accession progress.
- Explore other sectors such as logistics, agri-food, and tourism, which complement the wine industry.
Why UK Businesses Should Join
By joining the UK Trade Mission, importers will benefit from:
- Networking with both Moldovan and international business leaders.
- Government briefings on economic reforms and trade opportunities.
- Market intelligence tailored to UK participants.
- Site visits to vineyards and wine producers, offering first-hand experience of Moldova’s wine quality.
- Access to Moldova’s flagship Wine Day festival, where hundreds of producers showcase their finest collections.
For UK importers looking to diversify their portfolio and expand internationally, this is a golden chance.
Newsletter: Stay Ahead of the Curve
Moldova’s economic and trade developments are moving quickly. To stay informed about:
- The latest on Moldova’s wine exports,
- Updates on EU accession progress,
- Opportunities for UK businesses,
- Upcoming trade missions and events—
📩 Sign up for the Moldovan Diaspora Business Alliance (MDBA) newsletter at the bottom of this blog or:
Email: moldovan.diaspora.uk@gmail.com
Conclusion: A Toast to Future Partnerships
Moldova’s wine sector has achieved a remarkable breakthrough in Africa, with Nigeria leading the way as a major importer of nearly a million litres in just seven months. This success underlines both the quality of Moldovan wines and the opportunities for global expansion.
For UK wine importers, this is the right moment to explore Moldova as a trade partner. Not only are its wines competitively priced and internationally acclaimed, but Moldova’s economic trajectory—towards EU membership, boosted by EU funding—offers long-term stability and growth.
By joining the UK Business Mission to Moldova in September 2025, British businesses can experience first-hand the richness of Moldova’s wine culture, meet future partners, and explore opportunities for trade not only with Moldova but also with Africa and beyond.
The world is discovering Moldovan wine—and UK importers have every reason to raise a glass to future partnerships.