Moldova Prioritizes Domestic Grain Exports Over Ukrainian Transit

Moldova has introduced priority rail transportation for its farmers over Ukrainian grain exports. According to Calea Ferată din Moldova (CFM), all of its grain wagons are reserved for local customers, with Ukrainian transit cargoes being transported in Ukrainian wagons.

The state railway company emphasized that the transit of Ukrainian grain does not create a shortage of rail capacity for Moldovan farmers, as the country's railway network is currently operating at around 20% of its capacity.

Moldovan exporters also benefit from lower tariffs, with grain exports costing CHF 15.30/t compared to the CHF 20.64/t for Ukrainian transit shipments. The cost of using and returning Ukrainian wagons is not included in the previously reported tariff of CHF 11.72/t for Ukrainian cargoes.

CFM clarified that Ukrainian grain transiting Moldova is not imported into the domestic market but rather crosses the country on its way to foreign markets. When shipments compete for the same route and border crossing, Moldovan companies will be given priority.