Recent trends in the development of the beverage manufacturing industry in the Republic of Moldova
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This paper examines recent trends in the development of the beverage manufacturing industry in the Republic of Moldova during the period 2019-2024 and identify the main challenges and advantages of the sector. The analysis focuses on the structural dynamics of the sector, encompassing key economic indicators, enterprise size distribution, production evolution, and market orientation patterns. The findings reveal that the beverage manufacturing sector (C11) demonstrates resilience and moderate growth, with industrial production value increasing by 46.4% over the analyzed period, outpacing the overall manufacturing industry growth rate. The sector maintains a stable contribution of approximately 10.7% to total manufacturing output. However, the analysis identifies a pronounced structural polarization: large enterprises, representing only 7.8% of the total, concentrate 62.3% of revenues and 51.2% of employment, while micro and small enterprises (80.2% of all firms) contribute minimally to overall economic performance. Wine production from grapes remains the dominant subsector (56.7% of total production value in 2024), though its relative share has declined as other segments have expanded more rapidly. A notable shift in market orientation is observed from 2021 onward, with domestic deliveries surpassing exports for the first time, reaching 52.3% of total production in 2024, compared to the exportdominated structure of 2019-2020. The research reveals that while large enterprises have strengthened their profitability (94.7% profitable in 2024), small and medium-sized enterprises face increasing financial vulnerability, with microenterprises particularly affected - only one-third achieving profitability in 2024. Sustained sectoral growth requires strategic investments in modernization, technological advancement, quality enhancement, and national brand development to maintain competitive positioning in both domestic and international markets.
Source: Vector European
Author: Alexandra Novac
Language: English
Subfield: Economics and Econometrics
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7204157110