EU–Moldova Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area
- Trade policy
Summary
The European Union (EU) and Moldova have reached agreement on expanding their trade relations – a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) – under the EU Moldova Association Agreement. This provides greater access for Moldova to the EU market for certain fruits, grape juice, and garlic. Moldova agrees to align its national rules on pesticides with EU rules by the end of 2027. The Agreement includes a safeguard clause that allows the EU to reintroduce import tariffs if imports cause social or economic disruption in the EU.
Improved access to EU market for certain fruits and garlic from Moldova
Decision No 1/2025 of the EU-Moldova Association Committee in Trade Configuration of 19 September 2025 on the reduction and elimination of customs duties pursuant to Article 147(4) of the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Moldova, of the other part
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2009 of 2 October 2025 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1988 as regards the quantities that may be imported under certain tariff quotas following the amendment of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Moldova
Update
The European Union (EU) and Moldova have reached agreement on expanding their trade relations – a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) – under the EU Moldova Association Agreement. This provides greater access for Moldova to the EU market for certain fruits, grape juice, and garlic. Moldova agrees to align its national rules on pesticides with EU rules by the end of 2027. The Agreement includes a safeguard clause that allows the EU to reintroduce import tariffs if imports cause social or economic disruption in the EU.
Impacted Products
Apples, cherries, garlic, grapes, grape juice, plums, tomatoes
What is changing?
In September 2025, the EU and Moldova agreed to create greater market access for sensitive agricultural products under the DCFTA by extending the quotas as set out in Table 1; or by removing quotas to allow these products zero duty, zero quota access to the EU (Decision 1/2025 implemented by Regulation 2025/2009).
The September 2025 agreement allows the EU to reintroduce import tariffs if imports from Moldova have a negative economic or social impact on the EU as a whole, or on any EU Member State.
A condition for improved market access is that by the end of 2027, Moldova should align its laws to EU rules on pesticides on: plant protection products on the market (Regulation 1107/2009); sustainable use of pesticides (Directive 2009/128/EC); official controls (Regulation 2017/625); and protection of waters against nitrate pollution (Council Directive 91/676/EEC).
Why?
The Association Agreement between the EU and Moldova is reviewed regularly, aiming to strengthen ties between Moldova and the EU, and to support alignment of the country’s agricultural sector with EU standards to facilitate Moldova’s accession to the EU.
Timeline
The revised quotas in Table 1 apply from 4 October 2025.
These quotas are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis (in accordance with Regulation 2020/1988).
Background
The EU’s existing Association Agreement with Moldova includes a DCFTA. Under the current DCFTA, most agri-food products are fully liberalised, meaning they can enter the EU at zero duty. For certain products that are considered sensitive for the EU agri-food sector, zero duty access is limited to a tariff rate quota, as high import volumes could negatively impact the EU’s production of the same products.
In response to the trading difficulties created by the Ukraine war, since July 2022 Moldova has benefitted from complete zero duty access to the EU market for all products (“autonomous trade measures”) (Regulation 2024/1501). The EU is Moldova’s biggest trading partner, and the traditional export routes transit through Ukraine. These measures expired in July 2025, meaning that the tariffs and quotas established by the DCFTA apply from that date.
Resources
European Commission (2025a) EU and Moldova reach agreement on a modernised trade relationship. Press release, 24 July.
European Commission (2025b) Questions and Answers on the review of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with Moldova.
Association Agreement between the EU, the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and their Member States, and the Republic of Moldova
Summary of the Association agreement with Moldova (European Commission)
Regulation 2024/1501 on temporary trade-liberalisation measures supplementing trade concessions applicable to products from the Republic of Moldova under the Association Agreement
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1988 as regards the administration of import tariff quotas in accordance with the ‘first come, first served’ principle
Proposal for a Council Decision on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union in the Association Committee in Trade Configuration established by the Association Agreement between the EU and Moldova
Sources
Decision No 1/2025 of the EU-Moldova Association Committee in Trade Configuration on the reduction and elimination of customs duties
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2009 as regards the quantities that may be imported under certain tariff quotas following the amendment of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Moldova
Tables & Figures
Source: Regulation 2025/2009
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Improved access to EU market for certain fruits and garlic from Moldova
Decision No 1/2025 of the EU-Moldova Association Committee in Trade Configuration on the reduction and elimination of customs duties
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2009 as regards the quantities that may be imported under certain tariff quotas following the amendment of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Moldova
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) and Moldova have reached agreement on expanding their trade relations. This provides greater access to the EU market for Moldovan apples, cherries, garlic, grapes, grape juice, plums, and tomatoes, as shown in Table 1.
The agreement includes a safeguard clause that allows the EU to reintroduce tariffs if imports cause social or economic disruption either across the EU or in any EU Member State. Moldova has agreed to align its national rules on pesticides with EU rules by the end of 2027.
To support the country’s trade in the context of the Ukraine war, in 2022 the EU permitted imports of all agricultural products from Moldova at zero duty, but these measures expired in July 2025.
Timeline
The revised quotas in Table 1 apply from 4 October 2025.
Tables & Figures
Source: Regulation 2025/2009
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.