Transportation Costs Dominate Moldova's Grain Market
The Black Sea region's grain market is experiencing a slowdown in trading activity due to high transportation costs. In Moldova, farmers are selling very little, and traders are hesitant to purchase large quantities of agricultural products.
The prices of wheat, barley, and rapeseed vary significantly from region to region, and are not necessarily linked to quality. The cost of shipping agricultural raw materials is a major factor in determining the price of goods on the market.
For example, transporting grain from Briceni to Giurgiulești costs 850 lei per metric ton, while feed wheat is selling for 2,600-2,700 lei per metric ton in northern Moldova and 3,300-3,350 lei per metric ton in the south.
Rapeseed prices have fallen by an average of 300 lei per metric ton nationwide, while sunflower seeds from the 2026 harvest have appeared on the market with starting prices ranging from 8,700-8,800 lei per metric ton to 9,500 lei per metric ton.
Experts note that logistics and insurance premiums are now determining trade in agricultural commodities, rather than the classic balance of supply and demand.