Ukraine and Moldova Discuss Rail Route for Grain Exports

Ukraine and Moldova are considering a plan to ship Ukrainian grain by rail through Moldova to the Romanian port of Constanta. This alternative route is being explored as a more secure option following increased Russian attacks on Ukrainian shipping and port infrastructure in the Black Sea. Sources indicate that Kyiv has requested a 50 percent discount on nominal freight tariffs, while Moldova has countered by requesting guarantees regarding the volumes of grain to be transported.

According to Oleg Tofilat, the former head of Moldovan Railways, a transit rail corridor could carry 4.5 million metric tons annually. Ukrainian estimates suggest such a corridor could handle 10 percent of the country's exports. Moldova previously provided rail transport for Ukrainian grain during 2022 and 2023. On Monday, Moldovan Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Vladimir Bolea met with Ukrainian counterpart Mykola Kalashnyk in the Odesa Region to discuss expanding these transit links.

Russian attacks on ports have led to lowered export forecasts. Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi reduced the grain export forecast for the 2026 to 2027 season to 38 million to 40 million metric tons, down from 43 million. APK Inform analysts also cut their forecast by 8.6 percent to 39.4 million tons. Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan stated that Moldova should not miss the opportunity to earn millions of euros in transit revenue, dismissing concerns from local farm groups that Ukrainian grain would undercut their own prices.