On December 9, 2024, the Department of Food Product Technology within the UTM Faculty of Food Technology hosted a workshop on a critical topic for Moldova’s agricultural and food sectors: “Assessing Quality Requirements for Table Grapes.” Organized by the Moldova Fruct Association and the USAID “Rural Competitiveness and Resilience” (RCRP) Project, the event focused on the challenges and opportunities surrounding the quality of grapes for both domestic markets and exports.
The workshop was led by Associate Professor Dr. Andrei Cumpanici, a recognized expert in food safety, quality, and sustainability, who presented topics relevant to the development of sustainable agriculture and increasing the competitiveness of food products on both domestic and international markets:
- Quality requirements for table grapes and optimal storage methods to extend the shelf life of products;
- The evolution of grape exports, a detailed analysis conducted by Alexandra Bicu, a marketing specialist at Moldova Fruct, who highlighted international market trends and specific consumer requirements;
- Methods of sample collection and evaluation, including a practical session in which participants had the opportunity to apply modern fruit evaluation techniques and analyze quality standards.
A key moment of the event was the practical exercise on creating product compliance evaluation reports. Under the guidance of experts, participants went through the steps of this process and understood its essential role in ensuring the competitiveness of products in external markets.
Dr. Iurie Subotin, Dean of the Faculty of Food Technology, emphasized that workshops of this type are essential for the faculty, as they connect academic theory with the practical requirements of the market. The topic of table grape quality is of major importance, given the strategic role of the Republic of Moldova as an exporter of agri-food products. By collaborating with partners such as the Moldova Fruct Association and the USAID Project “Competitiveness and Rural Resilience,” we provide participants with the opportunity to better understand international standards, market requirements, and innovative technological solutions. These experiences directly contribute to training specialists prepared to address the challenges of the agricultural and food sectors.
The event demonstrated the importance of strengthening quality standards in the agricultural and food sectors in the Republic of Moldova, with a special focus on exports. The partnership between UTM, the Moldova Fruct Association, and the PCRR USAID Project emphasizes the need for collaboration between the academic environment, the private sector, and international organizations to promote excellence in food technologies. Through such initiatives, the Technical University of Moldova actively contributes to the development of the agricultural and food sectors. By keeping up with market demands, UTM continues to train top specialists, ready to respond to current challenges and support the international competitiveness of the Republic of Moldova.
