Russia bans imports of Moldovan wine in March 2006.

Context

In  March 2006, Russia imposed a ban on imports of Moldovan (and Georgian) wine – popularly known as the ‘wine blockade’. Gennady Onishchenko, who leads Russia’s consumer rights protection service (Rospotrebnadzor), claimed that tests of wine imports “revealed a large share of samples of alcohol products and wine materials that do not meet safety requirements.” Russian importers of these wines strongly rejected these claims. More broadly, this case of Weaponised Trade is believed to be related to a rejection of Russian political influence in Moldova – and particularly a conflict overthe future of the breakaway Trans-Dniester region, where Russia opposes Moldovan control. Notably, the previous year some federal level Russian lawmakers had called for a ban on Moldovan wine imports in response to a meeting between the leaders of Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine at which the three states were viewed as having “scheme(d) against Russia.”

Impact

The wine industry is Moldova’s key export industry, and prior to this ban up to 80% of its wine exports were sold to the Russian market. The export of wine contributes around 30% of the country’s GDP.

Responses

i) Moldovan Industry

The main industry group for wine in Moldova, the Wine Exporters Association, told press that around 200,000 workersemployed in the industry faced negative impacts.

Moldovan firms pursued alternative export markets, allowing them to reportedly recover to around 60% of their pre-ban export levels prior to the resumption of exports to Russia. Ultimately, observers claimed that this ban negatively impacted the Moldovan economy to the tune of approximately US$200 million.

ii) Moldovan Government

The Moldovan government responded by immediately sending a state delegation to the Russian capital to protest against the move. The speaker of Moldova’s parliament, Marian Lupu, responded strongly, stating that “[i]t is clear that there are no technical or economic issues … but (instead) a premeditated political action”. Meanwhile Mark Tkachuk, advisor to the Moldovan president, told press that Russia’s wine ban “ignores its own reputation.”  

(iii) Russian Industry

Russian wine importer firms attempted to place pressure on their own government to end the ban. 

(iv) Other Stakeholders

International media acknowledged the political reasoning behind the ban, and it is acknowledged in a US State Department profile on the country.

Status

In November 2006 an end to the ban was agreed by the leaders of Moldova and Russia  – following warming ties and changes to the production of Moldovan wine. However, it was not until October 2007 that wine exports actually resumed. This followed a visit by the Moldovan president to Moscow in June 2007 that reportedly focused on negotiations over the ban. After the resumption of trade, each bottle of wine had a new label attached allowing the purchaser to view details related to its production.

Note also a repeat of this ban in 2013.

References

BBC News. 2006. “Russian wine move draws protests.” BBC News. March 30. Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4860454.stm

Chivers, C.J. 2006. “Wine blockade by Kremlin drawing fire.” The New York Times. April 5. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/05/business/worldbusiness/wine-blockade-by-kremlin-drawing-fire.html

Chubashenko, D. 2007a. “Moldovans still wait for Russia to lift wine ban.” Reuters. August 10. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/world/moldovans-still-wait-for-russia-to-lift-wine-ban-idUSL23257533/

Chubashenko, D. 2007b. “Moldovan wine back in Russia after ban.” Reuters. November 2. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/world/moldovan-wine-back-in-russia-after-ban-idUSL01420794/

Kyiv Post. 2006. “Moldova protests Russian ban on its wines.” Kyiv Post. March 30. Available at: https://archive.kyivpost.com/article/content/world/moldova-protests-russian-ban-on-its-wines-24153.html

Pravda. 2005. “Russian law-makers to outlaw Moldavian wine.” Pravda. September 3. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20050528024803/http:// english.pravda.ru/main/18/89/357/15077_wine.html

Reuters and Interfax. 2006. “Russia To Lift Ban On Moldovan Wine.” Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty. November 28. Available at: https://www.rferl.org/a/1073062.html

Sputnik. 2007. “Moldova resumes wine exports to Russia-1.” Sputnik. October 9. Available at: https://sputnikglobe.com/20071009/83099642.html

US Department of State. n.d. “Background Note: Moldova.” US Department of State. Available at: https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/moldova/93696.htm